LAS VEGAS — Coffee, conversation, and a franchise hanging in the balance. That’s the scene in Henderson this week as newly minted Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak attempts to salvage the team’s most volatile—and valuable—asset: Maxx Crosby. After a humiliating 3-14 campaign under one-and-done experiment Pete Carroll, the Silver and Black are staring down a complete rebuild. But the $106.5 million question remains: Is Crosby part of the foundation, or the biggest trade chip in the NFL?
Breakfast at Kubiak’s
The relationship between the Raiders and their star defensive end isn’t just frayed; it’s holding on by a thread. Enter Klint Kubiak. Fresh off a Super Bowl LX victory as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, Kubiak didn’t waste time. His first major move wasn’t a scheme change—it was a breakfast meeting with Crosby.
According to Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer, the sit-down established a “good rapport,” but the tension hasn’t vanished. Crosby, who has watched the Raiders miss the playoffs for four straight seasons, is tired of losing. The 28-year-old is in the prime of his career, coming off a 2025 season where he still managed 10.0 sacks and 16 tackles for loss despite playing on a defense that spent most of the year on the field.
Kubiak’s strategy to keep Crosby goes beyond coffee. In a calculated maneuver, he promoted Rob Leonard—Crosby’s position coach and a trusted ally—to Defensive Coordinator. It’s an olive branch, but will it be enough to stop Crosby from demanding a ticket out of town?
The $106.5 Million Dilemma
The financial stakes are massive. In March 2025, the Raiders made Crosby the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history with a three-year, $106.5 million extension. At the time, it looked like a lifetime commitment. Now, with the team holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Draft and looking to reset, that contract is either a cornerstone or an albatross.
For a competitor like Crosby, the money is secondary to the ring. He has preached loyalty to the Raiders for years, famously stating he wants to “build something” in Vegas. But after the disastrous Pete Carroll era—which saw the team regress significantly—that loyalty is being tested like never before. Trade rumors are swirling, linking Crosby to contenders like the Bears (who hold draft capital) or even a shock move to the Lions.
“Klint Kubiak comes in, and one of the first things he does is he goes and gets a cup of coffee… My understanding is that the breakfast went really well… But that nothing really materially changed.”
— Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
What’s Next: The No. 1 Pick Factor
The Raiders control the 2026 NFL Draft with the first overall pick. This gives Kubiak immense leverage. He can draft a franchise quarterback to pair with rookie sensation Ashton Jeanty (1,321 scrimmage yards in 2025) and sell Crosby on a quick turnaround. Or, he can trade Crosby for a king’s ransom of picks, signaling a “burn it down” rebuild that could take years.
With Rob Leonard now running the defense, the ball is in Crosby’s court. If he buys into Kubiak’s vision, the Raiders have a defense to build around. If he doesn’t, the trade blockbuster of the offseason is just days away.
