Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby conducted several national media interviews Friday from the team facility, wearing Raiders gear, but stopped short of denying reports that he wants a trade this offseason. The three-time Pro Bowler expressed frustration that others have spoken on his behalf, yet he never directly refuted the speculation.
“I just built my dream house before the season and got to move in,” Crosby told NFL Network. “My life is established out here. I’ve got my wife, my daughter and some of my closest people out here as well. So Vegas is my home regardless, no matter what’s going on. I’ll be in this crib the next 15 or 20 years and I love this city. It’s been great to me.”
The trade rumors ignited Wednesday when Fox analyst Jay Glazer, a close friend and training partner of Crosby, told Yahoo! Sports that Crosby remains frustrated with the organization and would demand a trade this offseason. “Now I have people that want to speak for me and be my PR reps when I haven’t told them anything,” Crosby said. “I can’t control what I don’t say. I have to unfortunately deal with the repercussions of that, which is a lot of craziness.”
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini also fueled speculation by saying Crosby has expressed respect for New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and would like to play for him. Crosby didn’t name either reporter but said the noise around Super Bowl week has been overwhelming. “So all the noise, it’s news to me sometimes,” he told Colin Cowherd. “I got up two days ago, I looked at my phone, and all of a sudden now I’ve got a bunch of PR people talking about what Maxx is doing. I just laugh, because if I address it then someone’s going to pick apart what I say there. It’s a lose-lose.”
Crosby’s season ended with two games remaining when the team shut him down for planned knee surgery, a decision that angered him. He clarified Friday that he didn’t storm out of the building as some reported. “Of course I was mad,” he said. “But people tried to make it seem like I stormed out of the building. I communicated with everyone that I needed to go home and that I didn’t want to be a distraction. … By the time I got home, people were saying I cussed out this person and stormed out or whatever. That’s not coming from me.”
Crosby said last month he hadn’t spoken to the team in weeks as they focused on hiring a new head coach. He has previously been vocal about his preferences in the coaching search but said trusted advisors told him to stay quiet this time. Asked about his future beyond this season, Crosby laughed and said he is focused on rehab. “I’m out here training and rehabbing,” he said. “About to get off the crutches, but I’m still lifting, recovering and rehabbing. Getting my body work done every day. I’m here at 5:50 in the morning every day.” He did not say whether he will still be with the Raiders when the season begins.
