Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders appear to be on a collision course toward a breakup after yet another disappointing season, a situation only amplified by the team’s decision to shut him down for the regular-season finale.
Crosby has been one of the scarce few bright spots on a team that’s been generally underperforming for years, and Ashton Jeanty isn’t ready to let him leave Las Vegas without a fight.
Ashton Jeanty Pushes Back on Maxx Crosby Exit Rumors
Crosby will be 29 when next season begins and has appeared in just one playoff game, a frustrating reality for a player of his caliber. Across the past four years, Crosby’s sack production has averaged over 11, and with the Raiders showing no signs of contending in the near future, speculation has grown that he could eventually request a trade.
That speculation continues to build, with multiple insiders suggesting Crosby is closer than ever to asking out. When asked about the rumors by “Up & Adams” host Kay Adams, however, Jeanty made it clear he can’t envision Crosby leaving Las Vegas.
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“No, I couldn’t [imagine Crosby leaving the Raiders],” Jeanty told Adams. “He’s just a special player, man, and I think he’s a special person, too. The energy and the mindset that he brings, he was one of the first people to text me when I got drafted.
“I’ll never forget what he told me. He said, ‘Don’t wait to lead.’ That resonated with me because as a leader, you think you’ve got to be a certain age or you’ve got to be a certain type of player, but it doesn’t matter who you are.”
Las Vegas finished with the league’s worst record, earning the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Crosby still managed to post 10 sacks and 73 tackles, finishing second behind Myles Garrett in PFSN’s Edge Impact Metric.
Losing him would represent a massive blow to the franchise and likely signal the start of a full-scale rebuild, something Jeanty clearly understands.
“He’s the heart of the defense, so obviously making plays for us time after time,” Jeanty added. “We would definitely, in my opinion, lose a lot if he were gone. He can’t go. He’s got to stay.”
Crosby will be a highly sought-after asset on the trade market if he’s made available. He’s averaging 10 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss per season across his seven years with the Raiders, a team that has mostly featured among the worst defenses in the NFL since drafting Crosby.
Crosby is firmly in his prime, making now the ideal time for Las Vegas to cash in, should they choose to go that route. For now, the Raiders appear hesitant, and it remains to be seen whether Crosby continues to push the issue.
Holding the top pick, Las Vegas is expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza. If a Crosby trade eventually materializes, the Raiders would likely receive multiple first-round picks, assets that could help rebuild the defense from the ground up.
