Maxx Crosby might have just exposed the Raiders and blown the lid off of the NFL’s tanking problem.
In response to the Raiders trying to sit Crosby for the final two games — including Sunday’s against the Giants in a matchup of 2-13 teams vying for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — and frame it as in his best interest for injury recovery, Crosby vehemently disagreed with the plan and left the team facility, according to a Fox Sports report.
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tRY IT NOWIt is a surprise the Raiders even would have tried that maneuver with Crosby considering he was so public about his desire to play. Crosby has played in all 15 games this season but has been listed on the injury report since Week 12.
“Yeah, I don’t give a s–t about the pick,” Crosby said earlier this week. “I don’t play for that. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world. That’s what I focus on every day — and being a leader and a great influence.”
The Raiders shut down top offensive weapon Brock Bowers for the season earlier this week.
Maxx Crosby reportedly left the Raiders facility after being told he was shut down for the season. Getty Images
Tanking is a problem in sports because players never want to play — and risk injury — to lose, but front offices, coaches and, most of all, fans see the draft-rebuild benefits. Of all the teams that would fall susceptible, it’s a bit of a surprise that it is one owned by seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady and led by potential Hall of Fame coach Pete Carroll.
The Raiders could draft Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. If the Giants have the No. 1 pick, they could hold trade sweepstakes with the Raiders, Jets, Cardinals and others for the right to draft Mendoza.
“The front office, the coaches, they do that, but that’s got nothing to do with me,” Crosby said. “I’ve learned that lesson in the past. You can’t control everything.”
Maxx Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension this past offseason. Getty ImagesFrom a bigger perspective, the dispute raises questions about the future in Las Vegas for one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and his offseason availability.
LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring), S Tyler Nubin (neck), OG Evan Neal (neck), DT D.J. Davidson (neck/concussion) and WR Beaux Collins (neck/concussion) were ruled out for the Giants.
C John Michael Schmitz (finger) is doubtful.
OL Josh Ezeudu (calf), CB Cor’Dale Flott (knee) and DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (ankle/toe) are questionable. Schmitz and Nunez-Roches were upgraded to limited.
TE Theo Johnson (illness) did not practice Friday.
CB Deonte Banks was criticized for his effort and technique this week by Giants radio analyst Carl Banks (no relation). Deonte, a former first-round pick, is having a second straight disappointing season but could start again Sunday if Flott is sidelined.
“We just coach everybody to the standard that we have on defense,” defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen said. “When you do it right, you get praise in the room. And if you don’t, it gets addressed. So, no different than anybody else in there, that’s been our focus with him.”
Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial chalked up kicker Ben Sauls’ first career kickoff landing out of bounds to the wind last week at MetLife Stadium more than to nerves. Sauls came back and made two field goals and executed the rest of his kickoffs.
“He’s going to be hungry to continue to make everything better,” Ghobrial said. “I would say he would have loved to hit a 60-yarder after that [mistake]. That’s just kind of how he’s built.”
