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Raiders can’t afford to ignore these two phone calls at the trade deadline
The Raiders must decide how much to prioritise a possible playoff run over improving their longer-term prospects at Tuesday’s trade deadline. At 4-5, they remain in contention, but their uneven performances raise questions about whether the team is strong enough to justify rejecting valuable offers for quarterback Kirk Cousins or defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Cousins has played reliably while rookie Fernando Mendoza learns the offence, and a mid-round pick from a team such as Minnesota could interest Las Vegas while giving Mendoza eight games as the starter. Trading Crosby would be a larger gamble because replacing his impact could take several drafts; the article points to Chicago’s deal for Jeffery Simmons, which included first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, as a benchmark. San Francisco and Detroit are suggested as potential fits for Crosby.
In short
- Las Vegas is 4-5 with a playoff chance still alive.
- A Cousins trade could bring a pick and more starts for Mendoza.
- Crosby would be difficult to replace, so any offer must be substantial.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
At 4-5, the Raiders are still in the playoff race, and keeping Cousins and Crosby could give the team its best chance to compete now. Cousins has provided stability while Mendoza learns, while Crosby is difficult to replace; turning down offers could protect both the season and the team’s connection with its supporters.
The case against
An uneven team may not be strong enough to make a meaningful playoff run, so trading veterans could improve its longer-term prospects. Moving Cousins would give Mendoza valuable starting experience, while a substantial return for Crosby could supply the high-value picks needed to rebuild around the rookie.