SAN FRANCISCO -- The future of Maxx Crosby with the Raiders is still unclear, leading to that topic being one of the most discussed on Radio Row this week ahead of Super Bowl LX.
If Las Vegas will trade Crosby, who has spent his entire seven-year career with the franchise, and kick into gear a proper rebuild is one of the biggest questions this offseason.
That question, however, might not be answered for some time.
Sources clarified that Crosby actually underwent a minor meniscus repair -- not a trim -- on Jan. 7, meaning his recovery will be measured in months, not weeks. A meniscus trim is often 4-6 weeks of recovery while a repair can be 3-4 months. Crosby's should be shorter.
While Crosby is ahead of schedule and the repair was considered to be a best-case scenario situation, it likely means he won't be medically cleared before free agency officially begins on March 11 at the start of the new league year.
Teams can trust their medical experts and project a player's health, so a trade is, at least, possible. But rarely are players not yet finished with rehab included in blockbuster trades. This likely means that if Crosby is traded, it may be much later, perhaps at the 2026 NFL Draft or prior to the season.
The Cowboys traded pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers late August last year, so a deal in that time period has precedent. But Crosby's rehab appears to create an elongated process.
On his podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby, the star pass rusher said last month that, “I know I’ll be back in June” and described it as a long road ahead. The meniscus repair does take longer, but it is always considered to be the best option to prolong a player's career and help him get back to 100%.
Crosby did interviews during Super Bowl LX week from the team facility, grinding on rehab like he does everything else. One of the game's best with five-consecutive Pro Bowl nods and 69.5 career sacks, Crosby would generate significant draft capital if he were traded.
Sources say Crosby and the team are in a great place, even with Crosby obviously frustrated with not being able to finish the season on the field after he was shut down for the final two games of the 2025 season.
In part, though, that decision led to his rehab starting earlier and Las Vegas securing the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.
Crosby hasn't requested a trade. When Raiders general manager John Spytek was asked following the season if Crosby was untouchable, he kept it open by discussing how highly he thought of Crosby.
"I love Maxx. He embodies what a Raider is," Spytek said on Jan. 5.
The Raiders do eye a full rebuild, looking to create a foundation around likely No. 1 pick Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza and for new head coach Klint Kubiak, who is expected to join the team after his Seahawks face the Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday.
Trading Crosby for a draft haul would be a way to turn on the accelerator on a rebuild.
Raiders owner Mark Davis thinks highly of Crosby and always has. One wonders if he would do right by one of his loyal soldiers with a trade to a potential contender. In fact, it may be best for all sides.
But answers won't come immediately.
