Maxx Crosby’s trade saga with the Las Vegas Raiders ended the hard way and then the right way—after the Ravens backed out over a failed physical. Now, with Fernando Mendoza in place as the No. 1 pick, Crosby is openly taking the rookie under his wing, even jok
Maxx Crosby didn’t start the season on easy terms—he started it with a deal that nearly broke everything.
In March, the Las Vegas Raiders traded Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks. But just days later, the Ravens backed out after Crosby failed his physical exam. The defensive end was dealing with a knee injury. and the whole situation left his return to Las Vegas feeling awkward. even if it was the end result both sides could live with.
Now, the Raiders and Crosby appear aligned again. The trade fallout is behind them, and the focus has shifted to what Las Vegas can build next—led, potentially, by the quarterback the team has been hunting.
With the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, the Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza. The fit is personal for Crosby, too: he’s had a front-row seat to how Mendoza has handled the jump from college to the NFL, and he’s not just impressed—he’s encouraging.
Crosby said Mendoza “has been awesome.” He called him “a great kid” and emphasized Mendoza’s work ethic, saying, “Fernando has a great work ethic.”
That praise didn’t stay generic. Crosby went further. inviting Mendoza and other young teammates to his house to watch Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals. It’s a small moment. but it’s the kind of one-on-one welcome that can matter when rookies are still trying to find their footing in a new league.
Crosby also made it clear that he’s willing to be part mentor and part teammate—because he even beat Mendoza in a game of H.O.R.S.E. In the middle of the friendly competition, Crosby still found room for one practical joke that doubled as advice.
“He’s got to work on the jump shot,” Crosby said.
For Raiders fans, that’s the kind of storyline that hits differently than the trade headlines. Crosby has long been a two-time All-Pro in this city. and the way he’s talking about Mendoza—welcoming him in. spending time with him. and nudging him toward improvement—lands as more than encouragement. It reads like continuity.
And it comes at a moment when Las Vegas needs momentum. The Raiders are trying to snap a four-year drought in the playoffs. Last season they finished with three wins, their fewest since 2014.
Crosby’s own production gives the plan a backbone. He logged 73 total tackles, including a career-best 28 tackles for loss.
All of that helps explain why the Raiders’ offseason feels like it’s finally settling into something stable again: the Crosby trade twist ended. the rookie quarterback is here. and Crosby is doing what he’s always done in Las Vegas—showing up. setting the tone. and making sure the young guys know they’re not alone. And if Mendoza needs a reminder about what to work on next. Crosby already delivered it the only way he knows how: with a smile. and a jump-shot challenge.
Maxx Crosby Las Vegas Raiders Fernando Mendoza Baltimore Ravens NFL Draft No. 1 pick knee injury physical exam playoff drought H.O.R.S.E. Game 7 NBA Western Conference Finals
Wait so they picked Mendoza at #1 or #2? Raiders always messing up the info.
Maxx Crosby being all nice now is kinda sweet but also like… didn’t he just get traded and everyone was mad like a week ago? Knee injury physical drama then back to aligned?? Football relationships are wild.
I don’t trust “failed physical” stuff. Like if it was that serious why did they just reverse it? Sounds like paperwork got spicy. Also Crosby telling Mendoza “fix one thing” means Mendoza’s already messing up right?
Maybe Crosby’s right though, rookies need somebody to show them the ropes. Inviting them over to watch Game 7 like that is such a dad move lol. Still can’t believe the whole Ravens backed out thing over a knee… I thought that was supposed to be automatic like they would know from the start.