Much to the surprise of no one, the relationship between the Las Vegas Raiders and their star pass rusher remains strained heading into Week 18. So, what do you do with Maxx Crosby now if you’re team brass?
Crosby wanted to play. The Raiders shut him down anyway. Now trade chatter and a rebuild timeline collide with the face of the franchise. Look, if you look at it objectively, the team really was protecting their franchise player from himself. When you have as much coin invested in No. 98 as you do, you must make the tough call.
Obviously, that wasn’t head coach Pete Carroll.
If you recall, Crosby was put on injured reserve after fans were told that the organization consulted with doctors. Despite the five-time Pro Bowler wanting to play through his knee injury, the Raiders disagreed. As we all now know, there’s been some tension ever since.
Would the Raiders move on from Maxx Crosby?
With the final game of what’s been a disastrous season mercifully here, it appears that Crosby’s future is up in the air. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, people around the NFL now believe that Crosby could end up playing elsewhere if things don’t improve. It’s quite the development given the level of commitment that’s existed between the Raiders and the man that’s been the face of their franchise.
This is the uncomfortable part for everyone involved: both sides can be right.
The Raiders can be correct that a battered star should not be pushed deeper into damage in a lost season. Crosby can be correct that great teams do not train their leaders to accept losing as “smart.”
But the larger question is unavoidable…
If Las Vegas is staring at a multi-year rebuild, does it make sense to spend those years with an elite, win-now edge rusher entering his late 20s? Or is the hard, rational play to convert him into picks, cap flexibility, and a cleaner timeline?
Crosby is the heartbeat. The Raiders must decide whether they are building with it—or cashing it in.
*Top Photo: Getty Images