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Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek said he expects star defensive end Maxx Crosby to return to the team in 2026 amid trade rumors.
"I do," Spytek said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine via ESPN. "... Maxx is an elite player, and I've been very upfront from the start when I got here that we're in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them."
Spytek said he has a great relationship with Crosby and they've shared great conversations during the offseason as the former All-Pro continues to rehab from knee surgery. The general manager didn't, however, say Crosby was un-tradeable, nor was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft currently held by the Raiders.
"I learned a long time ago, always listen," he said via ESPN. "I'm always listening."
Crosby's name was mentioned in trade rumors during the lead up to Super Bowl LX, with FOX Sports reporting that he was expected to be traded as he had no interest in going through another rebuild with the Raiders and was especially interested in playing for New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Newly hired Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said earlier this month that Crosby was in the team's plans moving forward, while team owner Mark Davis also publicly stated his interest in retaining him.
Crosby was placed on injured reserve with two games left in the 2026 NFL season and disgruntled about the decision, having left the building. The defensive end experienced the left knee injury on October 19, having still recorded 73 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during an injury-shortened season, earning his fifth Pro Bowl selection.
Crosby and the Raiders agreed to a three-year, $106.5 million extension, which includes $91.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time of signing, last offseason.