Las Vegas Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby returned to the team facility this week to prepare for training camp following a turbulent offseason marked by a failed blockbuster trade to the Baltimore Ravens and subsequent rumors involving the Chicago Bears.
The five-time Pro Bowler had been scheduled to join the Ravens on March 6 in exchange for two first-round draft picks, but Baltimore officials backed out of the transaction four days later due to concerns regarding his surgically repaired knee.
Crosby remains sidelined from active participation during spring organized team activities but participated in team stretches on Wednesday, according to reported updates from team training sessions.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak expressed confidence in the defensive end's recovery timeline and praised his ongoing leadership during the rehabilitation process.
"Yeah, we do. That's the goal," said Kubiak.
"He's still the first one in this building every day, working. He's a leader on our team, and when he's out there, you feel his presence.
And yes, we're counting on him being there for training camp, and I wouldn't be surprised if Maxx was ahead of schedule."
Speculation surrounding Crosby intensified after Bleacher Report analyst Gary Davenport proposed a hypothetical trade package that would send the 28-year-old defensive end to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
Davenport noted that Chicago failed to address their defensive edge position during free agency or the recent draft, despite maintaining championship aspirations for the upcoming season.
"We'll close this out with a blockbuster that didn't happen even after a blockbuster fell through," wrote Davenport.
"It's been that kind of offseason for Las Vegas Raiders edge-rusher Maxx Crosby.
Crosby was originally supposed to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a pair of first-round picks."
The trade analyst suggested that the relationship between Crosby and the Raiders front office faced strain after the organization previously shut the defender down against his preferences.
"But the AFC North team backed out of the deal amid concerns about his surgically repaired knee.
The Chicago Bears were also reportedly suitors for Crosby's services but balked at the Raiders' asking price, with head coach Ben Johnson telling reporters that the franchise has to balance the present and the future."
The proposal highlights a shifting valuation for Crosby, whose initial price tag of two first-round selections likely dropped following the medical cancellation by Baltimore.
"Despite a clear need at edge-rusher, the Bears did little in free agency or this year's draft to address the position.
Crosby is saying all the right things, but there is no way his relationship with a team that shut him down against his wishes last year and then tried to trade him to Baltimore is perfectly harmonious."
The structural divergence between the two franchises could motivate a deal, as Chicago pursues immediate postseason success while Las Vegas undergoes a longer rebuilding phase.
"Chicago has Super Bowl aspirations in 2026, and the Raiders will be fortunate just to be chasing a playoff berth by 2028.
Vegas needs to add young assets. Think about that long-term vision Chicago's head coach mentioned."
The Eastern Michigan product finished his 2025 campaign recording 73 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, earning a 79.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Crosby also expanded his offseason activities into the music industry, releasing a new music video and song titled "Double R" on YouTube and X on Friday, which follows his previous track releases "2AM in Vegas" and "PlaqueBoy Maxx" earlier this spring.
"Chicago Bears receive: Edge Maxx Crosby. Las Vegas Raiders receive: 2027 Round 1 pick, 2028 Round 2 pick," predicted Davenport.
The Raiders roster features additional changes heading into the eighth season of Crosby's career, including the acquisition of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
