Raiders’ Dean opens up about Maxx Crosby amid trade rumors

Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders admitted in June that he experienced “a different offseason to say the least,” one that featured the star pass-rusher nearly joining the Baltimore Ravens in March and included Crosby remaining the subject of trade rumors through the start of the NFL’s summer break. 

Meanwhile, linebacker Nakobe Dean hadn’t shared a locker room with Crosby until Dean signed with the Raiders as a free agent back in March. During a recent NFL Network appearance, Dean touched upon what Crosby was like from the time the Ravens trade fell through up until the Raiders wrapped up their offseason program in June.

Maxx Crosby had an “infectious” positive attitude during the Raiders’ offseason program

“His presence is felt every day,” Dean said about Crosby, per Michael Canelo of Sports Illustrated. “Even if he has not been out there on the field with us, he is out there working. We see him working and rehabbing every day. His positive attitude is infectious.” 

Comments made by both Dean and Crosby would lead one to believe the latter has no desire to be traded by the Raiders before the upcoming season gets underway. Crosby spent the spring recovering from the meniscus repair he underwent this past winter that apparently sparked concerns among members of the Ravens. However, he said on Tuesday he is “ahead of schedule” and “feeling amazing.” 

Maxx Crosby “really wants to win” with the Raiders

The perception exists that Crosby and the Raiders could reopen discussions about his future if it becomes clear before the in-season trade deadline arrives in November that the club isn’t close to competing for much of note. For now, it sounds like stories that have insisted he wants to help the Raiders try to complete a turnaround have been accurate. 

“He says what’s up to everybody,” Dean added about Crosby. “You can see how he knows everybody. So it is kind of like with me coming, and not knowing anybody, I am trying to learn everyone’s name the way he does. You can tell he really wants to win. He is ready to get to it.”