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Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby reportedly 'wants to play for Mike Vrabel'
The Athletic’s Diana Russini has linked Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby to the Super Bowl LX-bound New England Patriots, saying, “I know he wants to play for Mike Vrabel, he’s told me before.”
Discussing the topic on the 98.5 The Sports Hub show Zolak & Bertrand, Russini prefaced her bombshell comment by stating that "Crosby doesn’t seem too happy in Las Vegas”.
As the only position other than quarterbacks to rank in the league's top 20 earners, elite edge rushers are highly prized in the NFL. That context makes the potential of a trade involving Crosby, who has 69.5 career sacks in 110 games, a major talking point.
A potential move for a player of his quality is undoubtedly a headline-grabbing discussion point, even during Super Bowl week, but the timeline and Crosby’s own words suggest this storyline remains firmly in rumour territory.
Granted, the 28-year-old appeared unhappy with being asked to sit out the final two games of the season with a knee injury.
But Crosby addressed that issue directly, admitting there were "a lot of thoughts and emotions" before stressing that he was "here at the facility," and "focusing on putting the work in and being with his teammates".
And in 2024, in response to comments from Michael Lombardi - who, as a guest on The Pat McAfee Show, questioned whether "there’s something going on in that locker room" following Crosby's absence with an injury - Crosby once again reaffirmed his commitment to the team.
Crosby's stance was reinforced earlier this year when he signed a huge multi-year extension with the team, committing to a three-year, $106,500,000 deal with $91,500,000 guaranteed.
Of course, players who sign extensions can be traded shortly thereafter. It happens. But if there’s one lesson to take from previous Crosby rumours, it’s not to overreact to suggestions that he wants out.
For now, the Raiders and Crosby are heading into a new year, one that could be spearheaded by the presumed top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Surely, even on a franchise that finished 3-14 this year, the idea of a reboot led by the Heisman winner and College Football Playoff National Championship winner is worth sticking around for?
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