In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders have placed defensive star Maxx Crosby on injured reserve for the remainder of the 2025 season, despite no reports of a serious injury. This decision is widely viewed as a blatant tanking strategy by the struggling franchise to secure a higher draft pick, rather than a legitimate injury precaution.
The Crosby Conundrum: Raiders’ Tanking Strategy Sidelines Star
Maxx Crosby, the heart and soul of the Las Vegas Raiders, has been unceremoniously sidelined for the final two games of the 2025 NFL season. This move, ostensibly due to a minor knee issue, reeks of a calculated tanking strategy by the organization to secure a higher draft pick. Crosby, known for his relentless motor and emotional playing style that embodied the ‘Commitment to Excellence’ era of the Raiders, is being benched while healthy, sending a demoralizing message that winning is not the priority for the struggling franchise.
Benching a Legend: Crosby’s Absence Exposes Raiders’ Lack of Direction
The Raiders’ rationale of needing to shut down Crosby for a minor knee issue rings hollow, as the organization has a history of negligence towards player health concerns, such as the infamous Antonio Brown frozen feet saga. Experts view this as a calculated move to protect their draft positioning by intentionally losing games. The Raiders didn’t just put Maxx Crosby on IR. They put the illusion of competitiveness on IR. “Errol Marks” Benching a franchise icon like Crosby, who represents the heart and soul of the team, risks alienating the star player and could potentially lead to trade demands or a loss of trust in the organization’s competitiveness. It undermines the team’s culture and identity built around Crosby’s intensity and passion.
Integrity on the Line: Will the NFL Intervene on Tanking Tactics?
This move exposes the Raiders’ lack of direction, with a washed-up quarterback, lack of offensive weapons beyond Brock Bowers, an aging head coach lacking innovation, and an ownership group that appears disconnected from the team’s proud tradition. Crosby’s absence highlights the organization’s prioritization of draft capital over on-field performance and player morale. The NFL may scrutinize and potentially intervene in such blatant tanking strategies, as they threaten the integrity of the game and the product on the field. Teams openly benching healthy stars for draft positioning could lead to rule changes aimed at preventing this practice.
Alienating Elite Talent: Crosby’s Situation Risks Fracturing Team Culture
Crosby’s situation exemplifies the Raiders’ descent into dysfunction, where winning has become optional, and the illusion of competitiveness has been sacrificed. This move risks alienating elite talent like Crosby, who did not sign up for a rebuild prioritizing ping-pong balls over pride and competitiveness. In March 2020, Crosby checked into rehab for alcoholism, highlighting the personal struggles he has overcome to become a leader on the team. On March 4, 2023, Crosby married his long-time partner Rachel Washburn in Nevada, further cementing his commitment to the Raiders organization and the Las Vegas community.
Prioritizing Ping-Pong Balls: Raiders Sacrifice Pride for Draft Position
On March 5, 2025, Crosby signed a three-year $106.5 million contract extension with $91.5 million guaranteed and an average salary of $35.5 million per year, making him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback at the time. This massive investment underscores the Raiders’ belief in Crosby as the cornerstone of their future. However, the decision to bench him while healthy for draft positioning betrays that commitment and could fracture the trust between the player and the organization. Crosby finished the 2025 season with 10 sacks, 73 tackles, two forced fumbles, six passes defensed, and his first career interception through 15 starts, further highlighting his value as an elite defensive talent.
