The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2025 NFL season has been a rough ride, and once again, trade rumors have swirled around their superstar edge rusher, Maxx Crosby. Despite the team’s struggles, the idea of trading the two-time All-Pro, who signed a massive $106.5 million extension this offseason, seems absurd. Yet, some analysts are still stirring the pot, questioning Crosby’s commitment to the Silver and Black. Spoiler alert: they couldn’t be more wrong.
NFL Network’s Jane Slater and Tom Pelissero recently shut down the trade chatter, reporting that neither the Raiders nor Crosby have any interest in parting ways. The Raiders made it clear to Crosby that he’s not being shopped, and the four-time Pro Bowler, who was once the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, is staying put. This news brought a sigh of relief to Raiders fans, who were understandably rattled by the thought of losing the heart and soul of their franchise.
Enter Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who decided to throw a wrench into the narrative. On his show, Florio suggested that Crosby might not be as happy in Las Vegas as reports indicate. “The great Raiders defensive end, who is mired in yet another horrible season, where his talents, his prime, is being wasted,” Florio said. “NFL media reported last night that the Raiders told Crosby, ‘We’re not shopping you, and we won’t be trading you.’ And also, they reported that Crosby wants to stay. I don’t know that I believe the last part.”
Florio went on to speculate that Crosby is “stuck” with the Raiders because of his contract and that he might not be as untouchable as the team claims. He argued that a big enough offer could tempt the Raiders to move him, despite the team’s clear stance. This take, however, is as baseless as it gets.
First off, Crosby’s commitment to the Raiders is undeniable. The man has repeatedly said he wants to spend his entire career in Las Vegas. His offseason extension, which ties him to the team through 2029, wasn’t just a business move—it was a statement. Crosby had two years left on his previous deal, and if he truly wanted out, he could’ve pushed for a trade. Instead, he added three more years to his contract, locking himself in with the Silver and Black. That’s not the move of a player itching to leave.
Even Florio’s co-host, Chris Simms—a known Raiders critic—disagreed with this take. Simms admitted that while he’d understand if Crosby wanted to play for a more competitive team, a trade doesn’t make sense for either side. The Raiders have built their identity around Crosby’s relentless energy and leadership, and trading him would be admitting defeat. Plus, as Florio himself noted, publicly announcing a player is available diminishes their trade value. The Raiders aren’t playing that game—they’ve made it clear Crosby is their cornerstone.
Florio’s claim also ignores the fact that the Raiders didn’t just tell the media they’re keeping Crosby; they told him directly. This wasn’t a PR stunt—it was a commitment to their star player. To suggest Crosby is secretly unhappy is pure speculation, with no evidence to back it up. If anything, Crosby’s actions—his leadership on the field, his vocal loyalty to the team, and his long-term contract—scream dedication.
Could Crosby’s career path change years down the line? Sure, anything’s possible in the NFL. But to question his commitment to the Raiders now, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, is a head-scratcher. Florio’s take might just be the dumbest of the offseason. Maxx Crosby is the Silver and Black through and through, and no amount of hot-take speculation can change that.