Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek expects Maxx Crosby to remain with the team next season.
Rumors have swirled about the star edge rusher wanting out of Las Vegas, but Spytek doesn't plan on shopping Crosby. He didn't hesitate when asked at Tuesday's NFL Scouting Combine if he anticipates Crosby returning in 2026.
"I do," Spytek said. "Yes."
That doesn't mean he'll immediately hang up on somebody calling about the five-time Pro Bowler. Asked if Crosby is "untradeable," Spytek conceded that he's "always listening" as a general manager.
Spytek said the same thing about the No. 1 pick, which the Raiders seem highly unlikely to move rather than drafting Fernando Mendoza.
"Maxx is an elite player"
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Earlier in the press conference, Spytek explained why he's not particularly motivated to move Crosby.
"Maxx is an elite player, and I’ve been very up front 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. "It’s hard to build a great team without elite players."
Spytek added that he's "comfortable" with where he and Crosby stand after having "great conversations" this offseason. He insisted they're on good terms despite reports that the 28-year-old is "done" with the organization.
"Maxx and I have a great relationship," Spytek said. "He's in the building every day. We talk a lot on the phone, we text, so I have a great relationship with Maxx."
Crosby has anchored the Raiders' offense since joining them as a fourth-round pick in 2019. He's up to 69.5 career sacks after tallying 10 in 15 games last season.
The Raiders placed Crosby on the injured reserve due to a knee injury with two games remaining. Crosby was reportedly displeased with the decision, which helped them secure the No. 1 pick.
Spytek believes the Raiders can follow the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots as the next NFL team to leap worst to first. Crosby will presumably play a big role in sparking that turnaround.
"We're going to build this team the right way," Spytek said. "This league is littered with examples of teams that went from a top-five pick to the NFC championship, the Super Bowl. We've seen it the last couple of years."