That prognosis casts a spotlight on Maxx Crosby’s future. Crosby is the franchise’s best player, but he’s getting older, and his desire is to be part of a championship contender. In a scenario where playoff contention is still years away, his outlook could shift toward a trade sooner than later.
Trade chatter has circulated, and a former player added a provocative angle by advocating a move to the New Orleans Saints. “Maxx Crosby is a monster,” Armstead said on The Set podcast. “If you get an opportunity to bring him to your franchise, he is a game-changer. And this is from experience.” He added, “We trade for Maxx Crosby, we’re about to go win.”
Would Crosby want to go to the Saints? The Saints have not reached the playoffs since 2020 and finished 6-11 in 2025, though they showed signs of life under Kellen Moore. They could be one offseason away from playoff contention in a weak division, but Crosby would likely prefer landing with a team that has a clearer path to success. The Raiders are expected to consider his input if a move were contemplated, and the Saints would probably rank lower on his list than a true winner.
There is no indication Crosby has requested a trade. As the face of the franchise and a fixture in the Las Vegas community, a sudden relocation would be a major life change. He has not addressed the trade speculation publicly, and a favorable head-coach hire could ease tensions and keep him in Las Vegas.
Still, the speculation is likely to continue as the Raiders pursue their next head coach. Crosby’s future remains a central talking point in Las Vegas, and any decisive move will hinge on how the organization balances long-term rebuilding with Crosby’s championship aspirations.
