The 2025 NFL season has been nothing short of a nightmare for the Las Vegas Raiders, turning preseason hype into a full-blown fiasco. With high expectations pinned on a star-studded coaching staff and quarterback overhaul, the Silver and Black were poised for a breakthrough. Instead, they’re languishing at a dismal 2-10 record heading into Week 14, prompting whispers of drastic changes on the horizon.
It all started with bold hires: legendary coach Pete Carroll at the helm, offensive wizard Chip Kelly calling the plays, and veteran quarterback Geno Smith under center. But the dream quickly unraveled. Kelly’s already been shown the door, and Smith’s lackluster performance has him ranked among the league’s bottom-tier starters. Now, as the Raiders stare down another rebuilding era, the front office might be gearing up for some seismic shifts this offseason.
Enter Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors, who just dropped a bombshell in his latest roundup of potential trade candidates. At the top of the list? None other than edge-rushing phenom Maxx Crosby, whose massive contract and the team’s ongoing struggles make him a prime target for a blockbuster deal.
Ulrich doesn’t mince words: The Raiders have been fending off suitors for Crosby for two straight years, including at the 2024 and 2025 trade deadlines. But persistence from around the league could finally pry open that door—especially with Crosby potentially facing his fourth head coach in as many seasons come 2026. In seven years with the franchise, the defensive stalwart has tasted victory just once, and another lost campaign looms large in year eight.
The timing couldn’t be more intriguing. Back in March, the Raiders inked Crosby to a lucrative three-year, $106.5 million extension, locking in their defensive anchor. That was before the 2025 implosion, though. Now, trading him could net the team a whopping $30 million in cap savings next summer, freeing up resources for a much-needed roster overhaul.
Don’t get it twisted—Crosby isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. The Eastern Michigan alum has suited up for all 12 games this season, racking up an impressive 59 tackles, eight sacks, and a league-leading 23 tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus backs it up with an elite 81.2 grade, placing him 16th out of 112 qualified edge-rushers. At 28, he’s still in his prime, which means he’d command a king’s ransom on the open market, with contenders lining up to add his disruptive force to their defensive lines.
Swallowing the pill of trading a homegrown star like Crosby would sting for Raiders fans, no doubt. But in a league where rebuilds demand tough choices, this move could haul in a treasure trove of draft picks and young talent. Why sink premium dollars into an aging pass-rusher when the team has glaring holes everywhere? If Ulrich’s prediction holds, this offseason could redefine the Raiders’ future—and send shockwaves through the NFL.