The Las Vegas Raiders’ attention is shifting away from Maxx Crosby and toward Fernando Mendoza as the Silver and Black prepare for a pivotal new chapter.
The Crosby saga is one of the most compelling storylines of the offseason, but it may also be a distraction from what truly matters out in Sin City.
Crosby’s situation is messy. The Raiders benched him for the final two games last season, and that created real tension between the franchise and one of the league’s top pass rushers. A trade to the Baltimore Ravens looked close, with two first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 involved, until a failed physical ended it. Baltimore moved on and signed Trey Hendrickson, and Crosby ended up back in Las Vegas.
The optics are awkward for the Raiders…
Crosby reportedly wants to stay and build his legacy with the Raiders, while the organization theoretically remains open to moving him. That tension is real, but it may not end up mattering much.
The bigger picture is clear. Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek are building this roster around Mendoza, the expected No. 1 pick. Nearly every major move this offseason points to protecting and developing the team’s future quarterback.
The Tyler Linderbaum signing says it all. Las Vegas gave him three years and $81 million, making him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. Teams do not make that kind of investment unless they are fully committed to their plan. After Geno Smith took a beating behind this line last season, the Raiders are making sure Mendoza does not face the same problem.
As Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano noted, with or without Crosby, Las Vegas is positioned to improve in 2026 because of that commitment up front. Wins, however, shouldn’t be the measuring stick this year.
Raider Nation will need to be patient…
That is the part that will require the most discipline: patience. The AFC West is still a gauntlet. The Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos present weekly challenges that punish organizational weakness fast. As a rookie, Mendoza is stepping into one of the toughest divisions in football.
Crosby’s talent has never been in question. His professionalism has been outstanding. But the NFL is a business driven by decisions, not emotion.
The Raiders are not turning their back on Crosby. They are simply making it clear what, and who, comes first.
Right now, that is Fernando Mendoza. Everything else comes after that.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images