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.