Raiders not open to trading three-time Pro Bowl DE

Antonio Pierce‘s early stretch as the Raiders’ full-time HC is going worse than his interim period began. The team is 2-4 and has lost one-sided matchups to the Broncos and Steelers in successive weeks. Pierce has benched Gardner Minshew, and the Raiders signed off on their long-rumored Davante Adams trade Tuesday.

Teams will undoubtedly check in to see if the Raiders are interested in selling other pieces. One player who will not be available is Maxx Crosby. Although Las Vegas is struggling, Crosby represents a foundational piece and would be on track for an extension — potentially as soon as 2025.

“It’s unfortunate today, but there’s so much outside chatter that is not true,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed. “It’s not coming from any sources. It’s not coming from anything. My basic thing is never to answer all that stuff because, otherwise, you get trapped in this black hole. It’s just not happening.”

Easily the best move from the second Jon Gruden era, the Raiders chose Crosby in the 2019 fourth round. The Eastern Michigan product has been a revelation, leading the NFL in tackles for loss in 2022 and ’23. The Raiders extended their standout edge rusher in 2022, and their decision to authorize a $6M raise this offseason effectively points to a longer-term commitment — as opposed to a player the team would consider dealing before the deadline. Crosby also received a $1.2M bump for 2025; his four-year, $98.98M contract runs through 2026.

Crosby also came up in trade rumors before last year’s deadline; teams called to gauge the Silver and Black’s interest in moving their best player. Despite another slow start, Las Vegas is prepared to pass. Crosby, 27, is also leading the NFL in TFLs this season. He has tallied nine, with 5.5 sacks along with that impressive total.

The Raiders have shuffled through Crosby complementary pieces, sending out Yannick Ngakoue after one season and cutting Chandler Jones following a series of strange developments surrounding the 2022 free-agency addition. Would-be starter Malcolm Koonce is out for the season. A top-10 pick in 2023, Tyree Wilson has started one game this season and has yet to record a sack or a tackle for loss. Yet, Crosby continues to produce. With Adams now gone, there is no question who the Raiders’ top player is. And the team intends to maintain this beyond 2024. Crosby is interested in a full-career Raiders run, having said as much this summer.

Teams calling about Raiders could look to Josh McDaniels-era pickup Jakobi Meyers, signed through 2025, and contract-year DBs Nate Hobbs and Tre’von Moehrig. With McDaniels and Dave Ziegler still in charge last year, the team rebuffed the 49ers’ interest in Hobbs. However, the established cornerback being unsigned beyond 2021 will naturally invite interest from coverage-needy clubs. A team needing a backup or an emergency starter could also call on Minshew, who is signed through 2025 but has $3.16M in guaranteed salary (as part of an $11.84M base since the team has pivoted to Aidan O’Connell already.