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Raiders’ trade deadline dilemma gets complicated by two stars who want to stay
Maxx Crosby and Kirk Cousins have both said they want to remain with the Las Vegas Raiders, complicating the club’s choices before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. General manager John Spytek must weigh possible trade returns against the players’ value to a team still pursuing a playoff place, while Sunday’s loss to San Francisco has added to uncertainty about the Raiders’ prospects.
The Raiders are 4-5 after losing four games following a 3-0 start with Cousins, and face the Seahawks and Broncos next. Cousins has re-established himself as a starting quarterback and could interest contenders, while rookie Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick, is viewed as the team’s future. Crosby’s departure would leave the defence needing to replace its leading pass-rushing presence; a proposed Ravens trade involving two first-round picks fell through last March over concerns about his knee.
In short
- Crosby and Cousins say they want to stay with Las Vegas.
- The 4-5 Raiders must decide whether to trade either veteran by Tuesday.
- Cousins has potential suitors, while Crosby would be hard to replace.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Trading Cousins or Crosby could bring valuable draft capital and help the Raiders build around rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, whose development may be better served by a longer-term team plan. Cousins could attract contenders seeking a proven starter, while Crosby’s return could fund several roster improvements; the failed Ravens proposal also shows that his trade value may be uncertain. With four straight losses, the 4-5 team may have reason to reassess its playoff chances before the deadline.
The case against
Keeping both players would preserve the Raiders’ best chance of making a playoff run and avoid weakening key positions during the season. Cousins has restored stability at quarterback, while Crosby is the defence’s leading pass rusher, and their stated wish to stay gives the club reason to retain players who remain committed to the team. Trading them now could disrupt the squad and leave Mendoza with less support, while future draft picks are uncertain to produce comparable talent.
Explained simply
The Las Vegas Raiders are an NFL team, and the trade deadline is the last point in the season when clubs can exchange players. A team weighing a trade has to consider both what it might receive and how the player could help for the rest of the season.
Maxx Crosby is a leading pass rusher, whose job is to put pressure on the opposing quarterback. Kirk Cousins is a veteran quarterback who has returned to a starting role, while rookie Fernando Mendoza is seen as a longer-term option at the position.
The Raiders began the season with three wins but have since lost four in a row, leaving their chances of reaching the play-offs uncertain. The club must weigh any trade offer against the value of keeping established players as it pursues a place in the post-season.
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