Maxx Crosby will play for Raiders after telling teams he didn't want a trade
The Raiders' star edge rusher is on the field for the season opener, and Ian Rapoport reports he made clear to interested teams that he wanted to stay in Las Vegas
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Maxx Crosby will be on the field for the Raiders in their season opener, and the reason he is still in Las Vegas is one he made clear himself.
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): From @NFLGameDay Morning: Maxx Crosby will play for the #Raiders today because he told teams he did not want to be traded; Plus, #Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr, unlikely to play today, could be traded in-season.
That report indicates rival teams had checked in on the Raiders' star edge rusher, and that Crosby personally closed the door on the idea of moving. For an organization that has spent the offseason retooling around a new staff, keeping its most disruptive defensive player is a meaningful starting point — and the fact that Crosby spoke up rather than letting speculation run is a notable statement on the opening weekend.
Crosby has long been the anchor of the Raiders' defensive front, the player opposing offenses have to account for on every snap. His presence changes how Las Vegas can call a game up front, and removing him from the lineup would have reshaped the entire defense.
Instead, the Raiders open the year with Crosby available and the trade chatter around him quieted — at least for now. Whether that holds through the season is a question the team will answer on the field rather than in trade talks.