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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is the latest insider to share what he’s hearing regarding the future of Maxx Crosby with the Las Vegas Raiders. With the Silver and Black in a rebuild, the question is whether the team can contend while Crosby is in his prime.
Crosby will turn 29 before the 2026 NFL season, and unless the Raiders can contend in the AFC over the next two seasons, it would be ideal for them to secure a draft pick haul to help their rebuild.
On Feb. 12, Rapoport shared the latest on Crosby and when a potential trade could happen, considering the Raiders star is coming off an injury that led to the team shutting him down at the end of last season.
“My understanding is this is something I discussed on Super Bowl Sunday, not a rumor, not an innuendo; he did have a meniscus repair, which, although relatively minor, is still measured in months, not weeks,” Rapoport said. “What that means is it’s hard to imagine a team trading for Maxx Crosby without him being fully healthy and able to pass a physical, which probably moves his timeline closer to the draft or maybe before the season.
“That means if the Las Vegas Raiders want to one, convince Maxx Crosby that he should be able to be back or two, do right by him, which certainly seems to make a lot of sense for Mark Davis to do right by one of their most loyal guys, they have plenty of time to milk and get as much draft capital as they possibly can. This is a rebuilding roster. Trading him makes sense. I just don’t know when or if that’s going to happen.”
Raiders Could See Maxx Crosby Situation Drag On for Months
Moreover, Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network believes this saga could drag on for a while. As a result, for anyone who’s tired of the speculation regarding Crosby, the whole saga is just getting started.
“The Raiders have to make their decision first about what they prefer to do, and then have conversations with Maxx Crosby to help potentially facilitate a trade in a way similar to what happened with Micah Parsons. This is a somewhat similar situation,” Garafolo said in a video posted on Feb. 12.
“I think it’s going to take a little bit of time before this plays out around the scouting combine, with some conversations closer to the league year. Then, perhaps leading up to the draft, this could be something we’re talking about at length for the next couple of weeks, if not months. Buckle up and sit tight.”
Las Vegas Gets Blunt Reality With Maxx Crosby Saga
Recently, Vic Tafur of The Athletic shared his take on whether he sees Crosby playing in the Silver and Black next season.
“At some point it just runs its course, and then you get a fresh start,” Tafur said in a Feb. 12 video from Scoop City. “At this point a bunch of draft picks would be good for the team to get more young talent, and rebuild with this new staff and these new young guys on the team. I think at this point I’d be very surprised if Maxx Crosby were a Raider next year.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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