The Las Vegas Raiders have a difficult decision to make before the 2026 NFL trade deadline, and it starts with the face of their franchise.
Maxx Crosby remains one of the best defensive players in football, but keeping him around for another season of losing might not be the best move for either side.
The Raiders have shown some signs of progress this season, but they still have a long way to go before they can seriously compete for a championship. Their blowout loss to the New England Patriots in Week 5 was another reminder of how much work remains, especially on offense. Even if Las Vegas stays in the playoff conversation, there are questions about whether this roster has enough talent to make a meaningful postseason run.
Crosby deserves better than another year of waiting.
Raiders fans have every reason to love Crosby. He plays with an intensity that embodies what the franchise wants to represent, and he has become one of the most recognizable players in team history. Trading him would be difficult to accept (again), but the organization has to separate its emotional attachment to a star player from what makes sense for its long-term future.
The Raiders Could Get a Massive Return for Maxx Crosby
Crosby is still just 29 years old, making him an intriguing target for teams that believe they are one defensive difference-maker away from a championship. If he is healthy and can pass a physical, the Raiders could demand a significant return in a trade, potentially including multiple high draft picks and other assets that would help accelerate their rebuild.
That kind of package could be more valuable to Las Vegas than keeping Crosby through another season in which the team struggles to compete with the AFC's top contenders. The Raiders need to build a deeper roster, and adding young, controllable talent would give them more flexibility to address multiple positions rather than relying on a handful of stars.
The challenge is that Crosby has made it clear how much he wants to remain a Raider. He has become synonymous with the franchise, and moving on from him would be a major decision for the organization. But wanting to stay in Las Vegas and wanting to win are not mutually exclusive. Crosby can wish the Raiders success while also wanting to spend the prime of his career competing for championships.
Article Continues BelowLas Vegas has enough talent to make individual games competitive, but the offense remains a concern. Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty give the team building blocks, yet the lack of reliable wide receiver production makes it difficult to envision this group consistently keeping pace with the league's best teams. A playoff appearance is possible, but that alone should not prevent the Raiders from considering what a Crosby trade could bring.
The Raiders also have to be realistic about their timeline. Rebuilding around younger players takes time, and Crosby may not want to wait for the organization to assemble a championship-caliber roster. If another team is willing to pay a premium for his services, Las Vegas should at least listen.
Trading Crosby would be painful for the fan base, but it could be the move that gives the franchise a clearer path forward. The Raiders need more than one elite defender to become a contender, and moving Crosby could help them build a roster capable of competing for years.
Crosby has given Las Vegas everything he has. If the Raiders cannot give him a realistic chance to win, they should consider giving him the opportunity to do so elsewhere while securing the assets needed to build their future.