When the Raiders extended Maxx Crosby’s contract in March, it looked like a commitment by the player to finish his career in Las Vegas.
A further study of his contract, however, suggests otherwise.
Typically when players sign big extensions it’s difficult to trade them without major financial consequences. For example — if the Browns trade Myles Garrett today, they would take on a $68m dead cap-hit for 2026 and have to eat another $20m this year. Moving him would be financial insanity.
No such restriction exists with Crosby. If the Raiders traded him away before the November 4th deadline, their dead cap-hit is only $5m this year and $5m next year.
The obvious conclusion to draw from this is the deal was window dressing — an extension done to remove any speculation about his future (Crosby, on his podcast, sympathised with Garrett after he announced his trade request in Cleveland). Combined with the appointment of Pete Carroll, who immediately talked about winning in 2025, it gave the impression the Raiders meant business. They were trying to engage the fanbase.
We’re in a very different time now. The Raiders have collapsed to 1-4 with a 40-6 pasting by the Colts the latest setback. The fans and media have turned on Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith. For the last two weeks Carroll has been asked about whether he’ll bench Smith for Kenny Pickett.
The all-in nature of the Raiders’ plan for this year hasn’t worked. They didn’t just hire a now 74-year-old Head Coach. They paid a fortune to bring Chip Kelly in as offensive coordinator. Patrick Graham, a highly rated defensive coordinator, was also retained. They aggressively pursued this vision and it’s hard to imagine they’ll tolerate much more of what we saw on Sunday. The Raiders franchise, even before Tom Brady’s arrival, has frequently hired and fired coaches.
Their next game is against the Titans. Lose that and it could spell trouble. Then it’s the Chiefs and Jaguars before the trade deadline. This is a key period where the Raiders are either going to turn a corner or face a brutal reality.
As passionate as Crosby is about his current team, he must surely be second guessing his future. As a player who gives every ounce of his being to every game, does he want to do that again for another lost season? Before potentially greeting another new regime? He’s reaching the time in his career where the next five years will determine so much — namely his ability to play meaningful football games at the business end of the season.
That contract definitely says ‘we will play this by ear’. The player clearly wanted flexibility and by agreeing to the contract, it seems like the team appreciates they can turn Crosby into stock for the future.
Could he be a target for the Seahawks?
According to Albert Breer, they pitched the idea of trading Geno Smith and DK Metcalf to Vegas for Crosby in the off-season. The Raiders turned it down. So we know they at least have some interest (an obvious statement given Crosby’s impact and talent).
He’s one of the few players in the NFL I’d be willing to go big on. His relentless playing style, personality and production can be a game-changer. He’s a true star off the edge.
You might only get four great years out of him but the Seahawks are entering a window where they need to take the next step. Finishing second or third in the NFC West and hoping to make the wildcard round has been their trend for a while now. Getting to the next step is often the hardest one and requires the addition, one way or another, of blue-chip talent.
Sam Darnold’s performances at quarterback are giving cause to believe this team can make some noise. The offense is humming. Surprisingly, it’s the defensive side of the ball that has at times looked like it needs help.
Before the season I pushed back on an aggressive trade because I thought the Seahawks needed to retain stock in case Darnold didn’t pan out. That concern is being swept away.
The 2026 draft also has to be considered. I have 96 players on my 2026 horizontal board currently. I’m finding it desperately hard to discover legit first round talents. This isn’t a draft class that appears to have much in the way of depth or top-end quality. There’s still time for that to change but we’re into October now. We’re not going to see a ton of movement in that regard.
I’d also argue there are not a lot of options emerging at cornerback or edge rush — two positions that could warrant strong consideration by the Seahawks.
Make no mistake, you would have to give up a lot for Crosby. Perhaps throwing Uchenna Nwosu into the mix, a Carroll favourite, could sweeten the deal? Or Riq Woolen or Boye Mafe? I suppose that would depend on how committed the Raiders are to Carroll.
Even then you’d be talking about your first round pick next year and something else of significance. There would also likely be a bidding war for his services which would ramp up the cost.
It might be time to roll the dice. With Crosby under contract until 2029, you wouldn’t have to worry about that angle either.
This isn’t just a wide open NFC this year. It’s a wide open NFL. We might see two teams in the Super Bowl few would’ve expected mere weeks ago. The Seahawks have a very competitive, talented roster — but they’re short of something. Adding an X-factor defender could be the missing piece.
Crosby’s contract was set up to have this kind of conversation about a trade. As he gets older, the trade compensation will decrease. If the Raiders are preparing to embrace a rebuild, I’d imagine they’d get more in a deal today than March.
I would consider it. I would be bold. With Crosby on Seattle’s roster they could’ve been 5-0 right now. Easily.
It won’t be cheap but it might be the thing that makes this season very interesting.