Raiders star Maxx Crosby's relationship is fractured. His preferred destination might be Detroit, impacting any potential blockbuster trade.
The San Francisco 49ers are expected to be among several teams monitoring the status of Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who may have played his final snap with the organization.
According to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, tensions surfaced late in the 2025 season after the Raiders shut Crosby down for the final games due to injury concerns. Crosby was not happy with the decision.
Crosby later admitted he had been playing through injury and felt capable of finishing the season, which only fueled speculation that his relationship with the Raiders may be nearing its breaking point.
When asked whether Crosby is done in Las Vegas, Glazer didn’t hesitate.
“I do,” Glazer said.
Detroit is Crosby’s ideal landing spot
While several contenders are expected to explore a trade if Crosby becomes available, league buzz suggests the Detroit Lions sit at the top of his personal wish list.
Crosby, a Michigan native, has long been linked to Detroit in league circles, and if the Raiders ultimately decide to move him, there is a belief they would strongly consider sending him to a preferred destination.
That matters.
If Crosby formally requests a trade, Las Vegas would still control the process, but history suggests star veterans are often accommodated when relationships reach that point. Detroit’s combination of proximity, roster strength, and Super Bowl trajectory makes the Lions the most natural fit from Crosby’s perspective.
Any team outside of that, including San Francisco, would likely need to present a significantly stronger offer to change the Raiders’ mind.
What would it cost?
The compensation for Crosby remains a point of debate.
Glazer believes the Raiders could seek a haul exceeding what the Dallas Cowboys reportedly paid for Micah Parsons, which was two first-round picks plus defensive lineman Kenny Clark. However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has pushed back on that valuation.
“It’s not going to be Micah Parsons [compensation] because [Parsons] was younger,” Rapoport said on Unnecessary Roughness with Q Myers. “But, you know, a late [first-round pick] would be real.”
That discrepancy highlights the uncertainty surrounding Crosby’s market, especially considering his age, mileage, and contract structure.
Why the 49ers make sense
From a roster standpoint, the 49ers checking in makes sense.
Nick Bosa is coming off a torn ACL suffered during the 2025 season, and even if he’s expected to be ready for 2026, San Francisco has a clear need for more consistent edge pressure opposite him. That need existed even before the injury.
ESPN reported San Francisco had interest in Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson at the 2025 trade deadline, signaling the front office isn’t opposed to swinging big if the right player becomes available and Crosby would certainly qualify.
Reality check
Still, Detroit looms over the entire conversation.
While San Francisco could offer draft capital and a competitive roster, the Lions may not need to overextend if Crosby pushes for that destination. If Las Vegas is willing to work with Crosby on his next chapter, Detroit would be difficult to beat.
That doesn’t remove the 49ers from the conversation necessarily, it just means they’d be playing from behind. If Crosby truly wants out and the Raiders decide to move him, contenders will line up.