The Las Vegas Raiders continue to put out strange comments about who's doing what and how they feel about Maxx Crosby.
The furor surrounding the backfired Maxx Crosby trade continues unabated, but Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek said he’s happy to have the star defensive end back--sort of.
The biggest takeaway from the latests comments from the Raiders’ camp is Spytek saying that “things work out how they’re supposed to,” which is hardly a ringing endorsement going forward. Spytek’s comments were part of a video posted on the team website, and they were part of a write-up by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.
“My relationship with Maxx since I’ve gotten here has been great,” Spytek said. “We had a lot of conversations throughout the season, at the end of the season, through the offseason, and we were presented with a challenging and difficult decision to make.”
That decision isn’t a done deal yet, though. The Raiders are still getting a steady stream of calls and inquiries about Crosby possibly being available in a deal before draft day, and the GM’s comments won’t do anything to dispel the notion that Las Vegas is taking those calls.
“Things have a way of going a certain way and working out the way they’re supposed to,” Spytek added, “and we welcome him like he never left — because he really never did. Excited to see him work hard and attack the rehab and I know he’s going to be back ready to rock in August this year and have many good years ahead of him.”
The part about Crosby having those good years ahead is at least somewhat debatable right now, given the informaiton that’s been leaked from various parties about the possibility of Crosby having degenerative knee issues that could affect his play beyond this season.
What’s truly fascinating about this situation, however, is that you’re free to interpret it at your own risk. If you like the idea of trading Crosby once again to get draft capital, you can go with that interpretation. If you like the possibility of adding Crosby back into the mix with all the defensive additions the Raiders have made, you can run with that one, too.
The next smoke signals to surface will likely be connected with the offense, surprisingly enough. The Raiders have an upcoming pre-draft visit coming with presumptive top pick Fernando Mendoza, and they also presumably have to make some kind of move to add a serviceable veteran quarterback to either back up Mendoza or serve as a bridge QB.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep Crosby is Mendoza if going to start early as part of a complete rebuild, so whatever moves they make at quarterback in the next couple of weeks should help nail down the Raiders’ approach to at least some small extent.