​Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has become the player every team wishes to land, and a recent meet-and-greet moment underscored his commitment to the Raiders amid ongoing trade rumors. When a young San Francisco 49ers fan asked Crosby to switch teams, he politely declined, saying, “I can’t, I can’t, but I love that you do your homework.” The lighthearted exchange carried weight because Crosby has repeatedly been linked to trade chatter heading into 2026, and if there’s one NFC team he wants to avoid, it’s the 49ers. The Bay Area rivalry runs deep for him; he used to play near the Raiders’ old stomping grounds at the Oakland Coliseum, and crossing that bridge to the 49ers represents a notable cross-town clash. This brief interaction reinforces Crosby’s clear message this offseason: he intends to remain with the Raiders in 2026, ignoring the noise and not giving rivals any breadcrumbs to follow.
Off the field, Crosby is progressing through a knee recovery that he says is going exceedingly well. He feels great and believes he’ll return to peak form soon, even suggesting he’ll come back better than before. Skepticism about such statements is natural, but Crosby earned credibility last season by playing 15 games, recording 10 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. The 28 TFLs surpassed his 2023 total of 23 (which led the league) and topped his 2022 mark of 22 (which also led the league), indicating he still has substantial burst and impact when healthy. The core question remains whether he can stay healthy, but Crosby is confident in his plan and his future with the Raiders, underscoring a consistent theme of commitment amid the surrounding chatter.