The Las Vegas Raiders insist they have “no intention” of trading star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater reported the team’s firm stance earlier this week. On paper, that should silence speculation.
Yet, every statement from the Raiders only fuels more curiosity about what’s happening behind closed doors. Crosby, now 28, has given little sign of unrest, but the team’s 2-5 record leaves analysts wondering if a quiet rebuild is inevitable. When a franchise cornerstone like Crosby is producing at elite levels on a struggling roster, general managers around the league take note.
Why the Raiders’ Denial May Not End the Maxx Crosby Rumors
Rucker Haringey wrote on October 22 that there “may be more than meets the eye” to the Raiders’ posture. That sentence alone mirrors the sentiment across team front offices. Las Vegas might not be shopping Crosby, but they’d surely listen if the right haul came along. History shows that “godfather offers” tend to start conversations, not end them. For front offices chasing a ring, very few players are ever truly untouchable.
Detroit Lions
Detroit sits at 5-2 and is in striking distance of the NFC’s top contenders. A defense anchored by Aidan Hutchinson could use another dynamic rusher to punish playoff-caliber quarterbacks. Adding Crosby gives Detroit arguably the most relentless pass-rush duo in football. Bleacher Report analyst Moe Moton even floated a bold proposal of multiple first-rounders and defensive tackle Roy Lopez as the Lions’ “championship swing.”
Dallas Cowboys
Despite reports disputing Trey Wingo’s claim that Dallas had reached out, the Cowboys make tactical sense. They’re a pressure-heavy defense under Dan Quinn’s successor and would value Crosby’s intensity opposite Micah Parsons. This is the rare trade that could tip the balance in January for a roster structured to win now.
Baltimore Ravens
Although they lack a reliable edge rusher who can command double teams, Baltimore’s pass rush thrives on rotation.. With playoff experience and an established locker room culture, the Ravens could justify the steep capital cost for a proven, durable producer like Crosby.
For Las Vegas, listening doesn’t mean moving. But if the Lions, Cowboys, or Ravens place those godfather calls, holding firm could become far more complicated than the Raiders want to admit.
