Maxx Crosby trade buzz grows as Raiders face knee rehab and roster reset

Maxx Crosby’s offseason has shifted from routine recovery to full-on uncertainty, with his future in Las Vegas now a top league storyline. The Raiders’ star pass rusher is rehabbing after knee surgery and coming off a season-ending injured reserve move, while multiple league voices have signaled a possible trade could surface well before the draft.

The tension is straightforward: Crosby wants to win now, the Raiders are positioned for a major rebuild, and the contract math is big enough that any move would be one of the offseason’s loudest.

Maxx Crosby: what’s driving the trade noise

The current speculation centers on two overlapping issues: how the Raiders handled Crosby’s late-season shutdown and whether he has the appetite to be part of another multi-year reset. The season ended with frustration around his availability and the team’s decision to sit him down the stretch, followed by surgery in January.

In recent days, prominent league insiders have discussed the idea that the relationship may be headed toward a break, with the key point being timing: if something happens, it would likely happen before the 2026 draft so the Raiders can maximize leverage and plan around the return.

The injury and rehab timeline

Crosby’s 2025 season ended when Las Vegas placed him on injured reserve on Saturday, December 27, 2025 (ET), with plans for knee surgery in the offseason. He later confirmed the surgery occurred in January and publicly targeted a return to full strength around June 2026.

That timeline is significant for any trade partner. A summer-ready Crosby fits training camp and early-season ramp-up. A slower recovery complicates the price because teams would be paying for elite production without immediate certainty on workload.

What the contract means for a deal

Crosby signed a three-year extension in March 2025 worth $106.5 million, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season. His 2026 base salary sits at $30 million, and his cap number is large enough that a trade would demand real planning on both sides.

For Las Vegas, the appeal of moving him is simple: a massive return in draft capital and flexibility that could accelerate a rebuild. For a contender, the appeal is equally obvious: a top-tier edge rusher who changes protections, dictates offensive game plans, and closes games.

Key dates and updates so far

Possible destinations and what teams would be buying

The teams most often mentioned are the ones with cap room, playoff-level ambition, and a clear need at edge rusher. New England has come up in conversation because of Crosby’s admiration for the team’s new head coach and the Patriots’ ability to absorb a major contract. Detroit continues to be floated because of geography, roster fit, and a window that feels open now.

No destination is “plug and play,” though. Any acquiring team would be buying:

• Elite pass-rush production and relentless snap-to-snap motor

• A major cap commitment that likely requires restructuring

• A rehab timeline that must check out medically before the trade price is finalized

The likely cost, if a deal materializes, would start with premium draft assets. That’s the reality for a player viewed as a defensive centerpiece rather than a rotational add.

What happens next

Three things will tell you quickly whether this turns into an actual trade rather than noise:

1. A clear signal from the Raiders’ new leadership about timeline and roster direction

2. Concrete movement around pre-draft negotiations, not just talk

3. Medical clarity: teams will want confidence Crosby’s June target is realistic

For now, Crosby’s situation sits at the intersection of modern NFL realities: stars want competitive certainty, rebuilding teams want maximum asset value, and health timelines can swing leverage week to week.

Sources consulted: NFL, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Spotrac