Maxx Crosby hits Raiders, Tom Brady with a harsh ultimatum

Things between the Las Vegas Raiders and All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby just crossed the line from broken to toxic.

The two sides have been at odds ever since the team forced Crosby to sit the final two games of the regular season — a move many believed was a play to tank for the No. 1 overall pick — despite the $106.5 million pass-rusher insisting he was healthy enough to play in both games.

Analysts have postulated that Vegas essentially thumbing its nose at Crosby’s wishes to continue playing despite the team clearly not trying its hardest to play winning football was the final straw for the 28-year-old star — a notion that was confirmed by noted NFL insider Jason La Canfora.

“He told (Raiders owner and future Hall of Fame quarterback) Tom Brady he will never play for the Raiders again,” an anonymous NFL general manager told La Canfora. “That's a fact. He told them he'll retire before he ever plays for them again. But I'm not sure they're actually going to trade him. (Browns pass-rusher) Myles Garrett said the same thing last year, and we know how that ended up.”

MORE: Raiders’ reported asking price for star DE Maxx Crosby revealed

If the Raiders trade Crosby, they likely could get back multiple first-round picks plus more — the kind of haul that could help jumpstart a rebuild under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak.

The problem the Raiders now face is interested teams now know Crosby has threatened to retire if he’s not traded, which is leverage they will presumably use in trade discussions to bring down the asking price for the star pass-rusher.

“Crosby's representatives have begun informing high-ranking officials from other NFL teams that the All Pro…will never suit up for the Raiders again and is intent on playing elsewhere in 2026,” La Canfora wrote.

“However, those same executives, along with others involved in the market for top pass-rushers, are not thoroughly convinced that the Raiders will adhere to Crosby's request and believe the team could ask for more in return for him than other clubs will be willing to part with.”

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