Why Maxx Crosby will not play for Raiders in 2025. Interesting Bears angle emerges

Maxx Crosby's stint in Las Vegas might be over. The Raiders informed the 28-year-old edge rusher that he will not play in Week 17

Published on: Dec 27, 2025, 04:18:14 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Mxx Crosby's stint in Las Vegas might be over. The Raiders reportedly informed the 28-year-old edge rusher that he will not play in their Sunday game against the New York Giants due to his knee injury sustained back in October.

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles (Getty Images via AFP)

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport cited sources to report that the management made the decision with Crosby's ‘best interests in mind’, but the Pro Bowler is clearly not happy.

On Tuesday, he told reporters: "I don't give a s--- about the pick, to be honest." He was referring to the Raiders and the Giants' identical 2-13 records heading for the Week 17 matchup. The loser would become the frontrunner to get the No 1 pick in April's draft.

Maxx Crosby to Chicago Bears?

Now, Crosby is being strongly linked to the Bears. When the 28-year-old signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders in March, it looked like the star pass rusher was locked in as the franchise cornerstone for the foreseeable future.

But months later, the season has unraveled, and the Raiders now find themselves competing for the No 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

If the Raiders entertain offers, interest around the league would be immediate, and one potential suitor stands out: the Chicago Bears. Acquiring Crosby would be complex for Chicago. Their 2026 salary outlook is already tight, with Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo carrying major cap hits on the defensive line, while big-money deals for DJ Moore, Jaylon Johnson, and Tremaine Edmunds also weigh on the books.

Any serious pursuit could require difficult choices, including restructuring or even moving an existing star.

After facing the Raiders earlier in the year, Bears head coach Ben Johnson labeled Crosby one of the league’s elite defensive players. Crosby returned the respect shortly afterward, publicly complimenting Johnson’s leadership and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams on his podcast.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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