Trade whispers are picking up high speed around Las Vegas, and at the center of the storm stands Maxx Crosby. The Las Vegas Raiders’ relentless pass rusher suddenly became the hottest name in the rumor mill after the 2025 regular season. But now the conversation has taken another turn as someone within Crosby’s inner circle has finally weighed in.
NFL Insider Shares Maxx Crosby Wants a ‘Winner’
Crosby has long been viewed as the heartbeat of the Raiders’ defense, which is exactly why the growing uncertainty has people across the NFL watching closely.
On Feb. 12, 2026, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler appeared on NFL on ESPN. When he was asked about Crosby, Fowler revealed that a source with direct knowledge of Crosby’s mindset shared what the standout pass rusher is hoping for as the trade speculation continues. Here is what has come to light.
“There would be a ton of interest down the street,” Fowler said. “20 or so teams would at least call if they haven’t already on Max Crosby. And that’s my sense is they certainly have called informally because the interest would be massive if they’re willing to trade him, but they haven’t gone down that road yet.”
The insider also said, “They have to sit down and talk with Crosby, Raiders front office, new coach Klint Kubak, and really sort out what he wants and what do they want out of this relationship. He has not asked for a trade. A source close to Crosby did tell me though he simply wants a winner, however that comes.”
Crosby ended the 2025 campaign on injured reserve due to a knee injury. However, he appeared in 15 games, finishing the year with 73 total tackles, 10 sacks, and his fifth Pro Bowl nod. But the hunger for winning championships is still there, keeping him up at night.
Over seven seasons in Las Vegas, Crosby has built one of the most consistent resumes among elite edge rushers. He has earned Pro Bowl honors five times and recorded double-digit sacks in four separate campaigns.
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His most dominant stretch came in 2023 when he piled up 14.5 sacks and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, firmly placing himself among the league’s defensive elite. He also signed a massive three-year, $106.5 million contract in March last year.
But in those seven years, the Raiders have not won a single playoff game. They have reached the NFL playoffs only once during that span, in 2021, and lost in the first round. In fact, based on their track record over the past 23 to 25 years, the Raiders could be considered one of the NFL’s most underperforming teams.
Their last playoff victory came in 2002, which was also the last season they advanced to the Super Bowl.
Maybe that explains the growing frustration around Crosby’s situation. After years of individual dominance without postseason success, it would not be surprising if the constant losing has started to wear on him.
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However, according to Fowler, the Raiders star has not requested a trade despite the nonstop speculation. For now, the noise remains just that. What happens next will depend on whether the franchise can convince its defensive cornerstone that better days are actually ahead.
