It was learned shortly before today’s game against the Giants that Maxx Crosby would be shut down for the remainder of the season. In response to learning his season was over, Crosby exited the Raiders’ facility. 
At the time, it was reported this episode could lead to a new round of questions about the Pro Bowl edge rusher’s standing with the Raiders. Crosby’s attention will now turn to recovering from a meniscus trim he was always going to undergo at some point. Multiple outside opinions on his knee injury suggested he could have continued playing to close out the season, however, and how Crosby reacts to the team’s decision could make for a storyline to follow.
Indeed, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link) this situation is going to cause Crosby to “evaluate his future” in Vegas. On more than one occasion, owner Mark Davis has insisted no trade is going to take place in this case. That stance was further cemented when team and player agreed to a $35.5MM-per-year extension. At the time of signing, the pact made Crosby the league’s highest-paid pass rusher on an annual basis.
That is no longer the case, but the 28-year-old has repeatedly stated his desire to spend his entire NFL career with one team. Crosby is under contract through 2029 thanks to the extension he signed this past spring. He is owed $30MM in guarantees for next year, and in mid-March his $29MM base salary for 2027 will vest in full. Any hypothetical change of scenery will no doubt take place before that date.
The Raiders face a number of key decisions in the near future. Head coach Pete Carroll intends to continue in his current capacity, but he has loomed as a strong candidate to go one-and-done in Vegas for some time now. The team sits at 2-13 entering Week 17, the same record as the Giants. A loss would go a long way in determining the No. 1 pick for either team, something which is of course critical whenever a new quarterback is being targeted.
Vegas has Geno Smith in the fold, but especially if the team finds itself in a position to do so it could add a signal-caller in the first round of the draft. Doing so could help spark a needed turnaround for the franchise, but before that point it will become clear whether or not Crosby’s decorated Raiders career will continue into 2026.