The Las Vegas Raiders are once again approaching an offseason filled with questions about leadership, roster construction, and the long‑term direction of the franchise. The organization has struggled to establish a consistent identity, leaving fans and players uncertain about what is to come next.
Why Does Doubt Surround Maxx Crosby’s Long-Term Future in Las Vegas?
The team has cycled through coaches, schemes, and philosophies in recent years, often without finding the stability needed to compete in a crowded AFC. With another reset looming, the organization faces pressure to establish a coherent plan rather than continuing the pattern of short‑lived fixes.
Amid that uncertainty, the future of star edge rusher Maxx Crosby has become a focal point. According to The Athletic’s Michael Silver, the relationship between Crosby and the organization may be strained after years of turnover and frustration, raising the possibility that one of the league’s most productive defenders could be nearing a crossroads with the franchise that drafted him.
“One of the NFL’s most accomplished and ferocious performers since being picked in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, Crosby is now on his fifth head coach (counting 2021 interim coach Rich Bisaccia) in seven seasons,” Silver wrote. “He has given everything to an organization that has repeatedly failed him, and now, at 28, he’s facing another extreme overhaul.”
Signs of tension surfaced late this season when Crosby briefly left the team after disagreeing with the decision to shut him down due to injury. The episode raised concerns that the two sides may not be aligned as they head into a crucial spring.
Silver noted that a trade request from Crosby cannot be ruled out.
“Is Crosby fed up enough to ask for a trade? If so, who could blame him? The Raiders, who need draft picks in April like casinos need air conditioning in August, would likely accommodate that request,” he wrote.
Drafting a pass rusher is a gamble. Why take a chance on college talent when you can trade for a proven difference-maker like Maxx Crosby? #NFL #MaxxCrosby #NFLDraft #PassRusher #Commanders #NFLTrades pic.twitter.com/jQAZpXM28t
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) January 2, 2026
Even if Crosby prefers to remain in Las Vegas, Silver suggested the Raiders could still explore dealing him as part of a broader rebuild.
“And if Crosby wants to stay? It’s quite possible they’ll shop him anyway,” he added.
The possibility of a split comes as the Raiders continue to struggle defensively despite Crosby’s elite production. Las Vegas currently holds a PFSN Defense Impact score of 66.4, ranking 27th in the league and highlighting how heavily the unit has relied on its star pass rusher to mask broader deficiencies.
Crosby is under contract through 2029, but the combination of organizational instability, this season’s disagreement, and the defense’s bottom‑tier performance has cast new doubt on his long‑term outlook. With major decisions looming across the roster, the Raiders may soon face the possibility of reshaping their future without their most impactful player.
