The Las Vegas Raiders are playing hardball. As the NFL trade deadline looms, the team has made it clear: if you want Maxx Crosby, you better bring a king's ransom. The price tag? Two first-round picks — the exact haul the Baltimore Ravens were willing to surrender back in March before their deal fell apart.
That's the word from longtime NFL insider Jason La Canfora, who spoke with multiple league sources about the Raiders' stance. One active general manager put it bluntly: "They set the price already, really, didn't they? They had two ones from (Ravens GM Eric) DeCosta. So you can't really act like he's not available now."
The GM added, "I don't think they take less than that. I'm not sure someone offers that; that was a reach by Baltimore… But he's still a dominant player. The knee isn't holding him back."
Indeed, the medical concerns that reportedly scuttled the Ravens' initial trade appear to be a non-issue now. Another NFL executive told La Canfora, "He's the same guy he's always been on film. No issues with the medicals. If they can get two ones for him, they have to take it. I would… But I kind of doubt they get that."
So why the high asking price? The Raiders are in a peculiar spot. At 3-4, they've already matched last season's win total, and they're carefully developing rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 No. 1 overall pick. They're not rushing him onto the field, preferring to build a solid foundation around him.
That means accumulating assets — and trading a star like Crosby is one of the few ways to do it. With Mendoza's future in mind, the Raiders could use extra draft capital to surround him with talent in 2027 and beyond. As one source noted, "He's still a dominant player," but even Crosby's impact has its limits on a team that's clearly looking toward the future.
The question now is whether any contender will bite. The market for elite pass rushers has been active this season — just look at the recent blockbuster trade for Jeffery Simmons, which sent shockwaves through the NFC. And with teams like the Cowboys facing pressure to make moves, as Micah Parsons' brother recently reminded them, the demand for game-wrecking defenders is real.
But will anyone meet the Raiders' steep price? The Ravens balked at the medicals in March, and even they thought two firsts was a reach. Other teams might be equally hesitant, especially with the salary cap implications and the risk of giving up premium picks for a player who, while elite, has had knee issues in the past.
Still, the Raiders are holding firm. They've set the bar, and they're not moving it. Whether that leads to a deal or a quiet deadline remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: Maxx Crosby's name will be on everyone's lips until the clock strikes four on Tuesday.
