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There are a lot of hints that Maxx Crosby's stint with the Las Vegas Raiders might come to an end. The edge rusher had a disagreement with the team during the 2025 season on the decision to shut him down because of a knee injury following the team's elimination from playoff contention.
Maxx Crosby to leave Las Vegas Raiders?
The early phases of the offseason have seen a lot of trade rumors regarding Crosby, sparking a lot of interest around the NFL. Former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner has urged the team to trade for the defensive end, using a player and a couple of draft picks.
“He (Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza) ain’t gonna be shit,” Whitner said. “They need to get (San Francisco 49ers quarterback) Mac Jones over there. Mac Jones, a first-round pick and a second-round pick for Maxx Crosby. That puts you in a position to compete with the Seattle Seahawks.”
Whitner's decision for the 49ers, who are valued at $8.6 billion as per Forbes, to trade for Crosby is coming just a week after he voiced his vote of no confidence in the team's new defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris. The three-time Pro Bowler doesn't see the former Atlanta Falcons coach filling up effectively for Robert Saleh.
“People achieve success without merit. I truly believe the 49ers will be looking for their next defensive coordinator (next year)," Whitner said on his podcast, "mainly because they hired based on friendship and they went with the safe bet.”
Donte Whitner thinks the 49ers have to go for Maxx Crosby
The Seattle Seahawks reached a new height with their performance in the 2025 season. The team was dominant with their defense on its route to the Super Bowl. Donte Whitner thinks the 49ers need to acquire Maxx Crosby to compete with the Seahawks in the NFC West.
“With Maxx Crosby, I think to try to match what the Seattle Seahawks are doing, you have to do it," Whitner said. "You got to go all in. Especially if you're gonna keep (edge rusher Nick) Bosa, you're gonna play a 4-3, you need another dominant defensive end, and that's the only dominant guy out there.
“A motor just like Nick Bosa. You have to give up two, three, first rounder, second round pick, give up a player here and there. You do it to go get Maxx Crosby because you're at that point where you almost have to win a Super Bowl.”
The 49ers are aiming to improve in the 2026 season after playing most of last season without big names like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams. Adding Crosby to the defense would obviously elevate the unit to one of the best in the league.
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