The Las Vegas Raiders are once again standing at a crossroadsâbut this time, the uncertainty feels heavier.
A new head coach has yet to be named after Pete Carrollâs dismissal. The franchise holds the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, widely expected to be used on quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
And hovering over every decision is a question the Raiders canât afford to dodge much longer: what happens to Maxx Crosby?
For the first time, a Raiders legend has openly acknowledged what many fans have been trying not to think about.
Reggie Kinlaw understands why Maxx Crosby might want out.
That admission alone shifted the conversation.
The trade speculation surrounding Crosby intensified late in the 2025 season when the Raiders placed him on injured reserve for the final two games. Officially, it was about health.
Unofficially, it looked like a strategic shutdown aimed at securing the top draft pick. Crosby reportedly didnât agreeâand his frustration boiled over, with reports that he left the team facility upset.
Now, with the franchise in transition yet again, the possibility of Crosby wanting a change feels less hypothetical.
âIf Maxx wants to go, I can understand that,â Kinlaw said. âHeâs got the winning mentality. Heâs full speed every play. He wants to win.â
Those words hit differently coming from Kinlaw.
During his six seasons with the Raiders, Kinlaw never experienced a losing year. He went 58â31 and won two Super Bowls.
He played in an era where the Raiders werenât searching for identityâthey were the identity. From that perspective, his empathy for Crosby carries weight.
Crosby has given Las Vegas everything. Seven seasons. Relentless effort. Community involvement. Leadership without shortcuts. And yet, heâs lived through just one winning season.
That contrast is impossible to ignore.
Kinlaw didnât stop at understanding Crosbyâs mindset. He also addressed the emotional side of the equation.
Crosby isnât just a star defenderâheâs the face of the franchise. Fans connect with him. The city embraces him. Losing him wouldnât just hurt the defense; it would shake the Raidersâ sense of continuity.
And thatâs where Fernando Mendoza enters the picture.
With the No. 1 pick looming, Mendoza is widely viewed as the quarterback who could reset the franchiseâs trajectory.
His athleticism, highlighted by a memorable 12-yard touchdown run in the National Championship, has already earned him respect across the league. But Kinlaw was clear: reputation doesnât transfer automatically.
âIf Mendoza comes,â Kinlaw said, âMendozaâs gotta work his way up to be the face of the franchise.â
That line matters.
It suggests a transitionâone that canât be rushed. Crosby has earned his standing through years of effort.
Mendoza, if drafted, would be stepping into a locker room shaped by disappointment, patience, and skepticism. The respect will have to be built, not assigned.
This isnât just a roster decision. Itâs a cultural one.
The Raiders are trying to rebuild while still holding onto credibility. Keeping Crosby signals commitment to winning now.
Trading him signals a deeper reset centered around a rookie quarterback and a longer timeline.
Neither path is painless.
Most athletes dream of spending their entire career with one team, becoming legends in one city. But modern reality rarely allows that.
Coaching changes, rebuilding cycles, and strategic disagreements intervene. For Crosby, the frustration isnât hypotheticalâitâs lived experience.
Reggie Kinlaw didnât demand a trade. He didnât push Crosby out the door.
He simply acknowledged the truth.
And sometimes, thatâs the most unsettling part.
Because when even the legends understand why your best player might want to leave, it means the franchise has more to prove than itâs willing to admit.
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