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Crosby

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak recently said he wants Crosby “to be a part of our success going forward,” though Pelissero believes that the team is still determining whether it makes sense to keep Crosby or trade him. From Crosby’s side of things, he remains undecided as to whether he will ask to be traded. Crosby, 28, has regularly played through injuries in lost seasons with the Raiders since entering the NFL in 2019. The team’s decision to shut him down with two games to go in 2025 remains a sore spot for him. For now, the veteran pass rusher will continue dutifully rehabbing at the Raiders’ team facility after undergoing a meniscus repair in early January.

This is mostly cold water on the idea of a Crosby trade from the team’s new head coach, but we’ll see what happens going forward here. There have been too many reports of Crosby wanting out — including one of him telling Tom Brady he’d never play for the Raiders again — to fully invest in the idea that a trade won’t happen. Still, it’s broadly good news that Crosby was at the introductory presser and had coffee with Kubiak.

Rapoport is following up on one of his own recent reports, where he indicated that Crosby could be traded “at the 2026 NFL Draft or prior to the season.” Only Rapoport knows why he chose to create a wider range of possible outcomes, but perhaps he was told that one or more teams are already interested in acquiring the veteran pass rusher. Regardless, Crosby told reporters late last week that he is roughly one month into his recovery from a meniscus repair. Rapoport believes Crosby’s recovery could progress faster than the typical meniscus repair timeline, which takes 3-4 months.

The key to this report is Crosby’s meniscus repair, which Rapoport notes makes him unlikely to be medically cleared before free agency officially begins. Thus, any acquiring team would be taking a leap of faith on the 28-year-old’s health for the 2026 season. We would be surprised if the Raiders traded him after the draft, where they’d seem to lose a lot of leverage, but the Micah Parsons trade did just happen right before the start of the 2025 season so it can’t be entirely ruled out.

Crosby did media appearances Friday morning where he threw cold water on any trade talk. The 28-year-old EDGE donned the Raiders’ silver and black while inside the team’s practice facility, saying any talk of wanting out didn’t come from him. Russini claims coaches and general managers around the league are unmoved and goes as far as saying she’s skeptical Crosby will ever play a down for new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, who would be the fifth head coach he’s played for since 2019. Due to the extension he signed in March, a Crosby trade can be worked out fairly easily. The team acquiring Crosby would have him locked up for the next four seasons and the Raiders would merely be hit with a $5 million dead cap charge while they save $30 million against the cap in 2026 and presumably acquire a bevy of draft picks. Though he won’t come out and say it yet, it’s understandable that Crosby, who turns 29-years-old before next season, would rather go to a contending team than participate in yet another Raiders rebuild. Depending on what the organization gets in return for him, a Crosby trade could be the best thing for both parties.

Crosby was asked to comment on a FOX Sports report that indicated his time with the Raiders could be coming to a close. The veteran pass rusher responded by saying that “any talk of wanting out of Las Vegas” did not come from him. Whether the Raiders try to move Crosby, 28, for a significant haul remains to be seen, but it appears as though Crosby is happy with his current team. It is also nice to hear that his rehab process is going well. Per Crosby, this is his “eighth surgery in seven years.”

Speaking with Yahoo Sports, Glazer speculated that the Raiders could get more in return for Crosby than the Cowboys did when they traded Micah Parsons. For reference, Dallas netted defensive tackle Kenny Clark and a pair of first-round picks. Glazer also noted that the two sides are at a crossroads as a result of Crosby’s desire to not see another rebuild. It’s possible that the new regime, likely led by Klint Kubaik, can sell him on this not being a lengthy rebuild. However, it’s safe to say Crosby has also heard that pitch before. Crosby has 44.5 sacks over the past four seasons and won’t turn 29 until the end of training camp. He is under contract for three more seasons.

Crosby is not going to like this. Hours ago, after the team ruled Crosby out for Week 17, FOX’s Jay Glazer reported that Crosby, disgruntled, had “left the building,” calling into question “his future in Vegas.” It seems likely that the decision to shut Crosby down, ostensibly for Week 18 as well, will be formalized with a move to injured reserve. Crosby leads the team with 53 quarterback pressures and 10 sacks.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Crosby has been playing through his knee injury since October, and the Raiders made this decision “with Crosby’s best interest in mind.” The star pass rusher “has been fighting to play and wants to play.” The Raiders shut down TE Brock Bowers, who played through much of this season with a PCL sprain in his knee, placing him on injured reserve earlier this week. FOX’s Jay Glazer reports that this “could lead to questions on his future in Vegas.” Crosby has one year remaining on his contract.

Crosby has been playing through the knee issue for a while. A DNP for the first practice of the week is nothing new for him. Even with the Raiders fighting for the No. 1 overall pick on Sunday, we fully expect Crosby to suit up. Crosby has 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception this year.