Maxx Crosby Trade Rumors Cool Ahead of NFL Deadline
Speculation surrounding a potential blockbuster Maxx Crosby trade is reportedly fading as the NFL’s November 10 deadline approaches. Despite the Las Vegas Raiders’ recent four-game losing streak, the franchise appears hesitant to part with its star defensive end, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
After a promising 3-0 start to the 2026 season, the Raiders have stumbled to a 3-4 record, losing four consecutive games. This downturn fueled trade rumors around key assets like Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and the emotional leader of the defense. However, the organization’s high valuation of the player seems to be the primary obstacle to any potential deal.
Maxx Crosby trade rumors are losing steam
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Adam Schefter suggested that momentum for a mid-season trade has significantly slowed. He indicated that the Raiders initially balked at trading Crosby in the offseason, only to consider it when they believed they could get two first-round picks. Schefter noted the team likely wouldn’t receive that compensation now.
He also highlighted Crosby’s immense importance to the franchise, stating that the team wouldn’t want to “sell off the heart and soul of your team, the face of your franchise.” Schefter emphasized that the trade talks surrounding Maxx Crosby had “lost a little bit of steam,” suggesting a deal is becoming less likely.
The Raiders’ current 3-4 standing also complicates a potential trade. Their playoff hopes are dimmed, but not entirely extinguished. Trading away a player of Crosby’s caliber would signal a full-scale rebuild, a direction the front office doesn’t appear ready to take just yet, especially with the trade deadline just over two weeks away.
A turbulent offseason and a collapsed blockbuster deal
The current Maxx Crosby trade rumors didn’t emerge from a vacuum. During the 2026 offseason, Crosby was reportedly the driving force behind a trade request, stemming from frustration with the team’s direction following the 2025 season. One report from NFL insider Jason La Canfora even claimed Crosby told new part-owner Tom Brady he would rather retire than play for the Raiders again.
This discontent culminated in a near-blockbuster deal that would have sent Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens. The reported compensation was substantial: two first-round draft picks, including the No. 14 overall selection in the 2026 draft. The deal, however, sensationally fell apart after Crosby failed his physical due to a recent meniscus procedure, sending him back to Las Vegas.
Following the collapsed trade, the Raiders reportedly shut down all discussions and Crosby recommitted to the team. The episode highlighted both the immense value other teams place on Crosby and the underlying tensions that fueled the initial trade discussions. It remains a critical piece of context for the current situation heading into the November 10 deadline.
Crosby’s massive contract and on-field value
Another significant factor in any trade discussion is Maxx Crosby’s contract. In March 2025, he signed a massive three-year, $106.5 million extension that, at the time, made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. The deal includes $91.5 million in practical guarantees and runs through the 2029 season.
His 2027 salary of $29 million became fully guaranteed this past March 13, 2026, representing a significant financial commitment from the Raiders. This contract makes him difficult to move, as any acquiring team would need to absorb the substantial salary. It also demonstrates the Raiders’ long-term investment in him as a cornerstone player, making a trade seem counterintuitive unless the return is overwhelming.
On the field, while his sack numbers are down this season with just two through the first six games, his impact remains undeniable. He continues to generate significant pressure on opposing quarterbacks and remains one of the league’s premier run defenders.
His leadership and intensity are qualities that don’t always show up on the stat sheet but are invaluable to the team. This type of dedication is often seen in top-tier athletes, much like Max Verstappen’s commitment on the track.
Potential suitors and the deadline outlook
Should the Raiders’ losing streak continue and their playoff chances evaporate, the front office could re-evaluate its position as the November 10 deadline looms. Several pass-rush-needy teams would likely inquire, though meeting the Raiders’ price remains a major question mark.
The Dallas Cowboys, who sit at 2-4 with a struggling pass rush that has generated only seven sacks through six games, have been mentioned as a logical fit. Team owner Jerry Jones has a known relationship with Raiders owner Mark Davis, which could facilitate negotiations.
Analysts have also floated hypothetical scenarios, such as a proposal from Zachary Rotman of FanSided suggesting the Chicago Bears could offer a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick.
For now, however, Crosby remains the face of the Las Vegas Raiders. The franchise seems to believe that his value as a leader and elite defender on a long-term contract outweighs the potential draft capital they could acquire in a trade.
Unless a team makes an offer that mirrors the scuttled Ravens deal, expect to see Crosby in silver and black for the remainder of the 2026 season and likely beyond.
Much like young stars in other sports, such as F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, his future is a topic of intense speculation, but the present reality seems set.