Ed Graney: Raiders made the right move in trading Maxx Crosby

Ed Graney, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Mar 7, 2026

Published in Football

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LAS VEGAS — Well, it’s over.

And the Las Vegas Raiders should be glad for it.

Not to the point of saying goodbye to Maxx Crosby. Not to the level of losing a player who has meant so much to the organization. Who has done so much for the community.

But for this reason: It was the correct move football-wise.

And that’s what matters. That’s what must matter.

It’s what a team in major rebuild has to do. It was the smart choice — the only one given where this roster stands as a competitive side.

Which is to say not much at all.

Off to Baltimore

The Raiders agreed to trade Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for first-round draft selections in 2026 and ’27.

It makes more than enough sense. You had to receive enough value back to agree to such a deal. The Raiders did.

So gone is the star edge rusher and five-time Pro Bowler drafted in the fourth round out of Eastern Michigan in 2019, who since has proven himself one of the best at his position in the world.

Gone is the player who Raiders fans adore beyond measure.

And it’s for the best.

I’m not sure where things went wrong with the Raiders and Crosby. I’m not sure anyone who doesn’t know the situation intimately does.

Crosby was upset the Raiders shut him down for the final two games last season because of a knee injury. He wanted to play. Felt he could.

But did that alone sour him to the point of wanting out? Maybe.

There is also another rebuild to face — one that could take a significant amount of time — and you’re talking about a player who is 28 and has suffered his share of injuries the past three seasons. A player who wants to win like nobody within the locker room.

Head coach after head coach. General manager after general manager. Crosby’s tenure has been littered with change from the most important of positions. From those in charge.

The Raiders have had one winning season and postseason appearance with him.

More time is something he probably doesn’t want to waste on the hopes minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek and new coach Klint Kubiak prove to own the magic elixir that will indeed turn 3-14 around fast enough.

Crosby will be sorely missed, and not just for his ability to reach the quarterback — he has offered four double-digit sack seasons in his seven NFL seasons.

But few local professional athletes have given back more to this town. Few have cared as much to do so.

His foundation is dedicated to the support of teen substance abuse and intervention. To the health and wellness of youth. To animal rescue and abuse prevention. To other important causes that have made a difference in so many lives across Southern Nevada.

Crosby has been more than open about his journey with alcohol addiction, having struggled with it from high school through his rookie NFL season. It’s impossible to calculate how many others he helped by telling his story.

But it also would have been irresponsible of the Raiders not to seek a trade. There have been reports for weeks that Crosby wanted to move on and his value would never have been higher than it is now.

Spytek needs assets. There are countless holes to fill. The Raiders now possess the Nos. 1 and 14 picks in this year’s draft.

It’s expected that they will select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first selection. And with a rookie at such an important spot, it’s vital the team put as much talent around him. This is as good a beginning for that to occur as any.

Made an impact

Maxx Crosby meant everything to the Raiders. He was their best player, the one chosen as the team’s club winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. It recognizes those who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact off it.

He was also named the team’s Commitment To Excellence winner each of the past five years.

This is what the Raiders are losing. And it’s a lot.

But it had to be done. There is a mountain to climb for the Raiders, and they’re not reaching its peak without a deeper and more talented roster.

Fans are heartbroken across a silver and black universe today. They have every right to be. They have lost a favored son to a fellow AFC team. A player they love.

But it was the right move.

Football is all that matters.

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