The Las Vegas Raiders have several decisions to make this offseason over players as they enter a much-needed rebuild. Moreover, while Pete Carroll is gone, the next question surrounding the franchise is what to do with Maxx Crosby.
Las Vegas shut down Crosby for the final two games of the season, and that decision didn’t sit well with the Raiders star. As a result, speculation about his future is emerging amid trade rumors.
On Jan. 5, Raiders general manager John Spytek responded to whether or not Crosby is untouchable this offseason in any trade talks. With Crosby upset with the front office, there’s no doubt teams will be looking to make offers to the Silver and Black for the player.
“I have a lot of respect for Maxx and how much he loves to play the game,” Spytek told reporters (h/t Vegas Sports Today). “I’ve had the opportunity in the last several weeks to spend a lot of time with Maxx, and I think it’s been well documented that he did love the idea of not playing football.
“You always want that from your best players. In fact, I think that’s why they’re your best players. So I love Maxx. He embodies what a Raider is.”
Raiders Have No Intention of Trading Maxx Crosby
Moreover, Spytek noted that because he loves Crosby and wants to learn from last offseason’s mistakes, he has no plans to let the star pass rusher leave Las Vegas.
“We don’t want to let good players leave our building,“ Spytek added. “That’s happened around here. I was in charge last year when a couple of good players left the building, and that’s one of the things I learned.
“You got to keep our good players here. We were talking about it this morning, just looking around the league. There are some former Raiders who are playing well somewhere, and I got to do a better job.”
Maxx Crosby Is Cryptic About His Future With the Raiders
Recently, Crosby set the record straight during his appearance on “Let’s Go!“ with Jim Gray. Still, nowhere in his words did he mention that he wants to be a Raider next season.
“I’m honestly doing phenomenal,“ Crosby said in a video posted by SiriusXM NFL Radio on Dec. 30. “I’m here at the facility. I have a lot of thoughts and emotions, but I’m focused on putting the work in and being with my teammates. At the end of the day, I love being with my guys. That’s it. I’m just going to leave it at that. I’m doing great, though. Happy. That’s all I can say.”
It will be interesting to see what the Raiders decide to do this offseason. Las Vegas are clearly in a rebuild, and they will need to determine whether their window to contend lines up with the remaining prime years of Crosby’s career.
The Raiders have plenty of money to spend in free agency and can speed up the rebuild if they take Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall. Nonetheless, it will be an interesting offseason for the Silver and Black.
Raiders Give Massive Update on Maxx Crosby’s Future