INDIANAPOLIS -- It took Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek just 20 seconds to address Maxx Crosby's future at Spytek's media availability at the NFL Combine on Tuesday. When asked if he envisioned Crosby being on the Raiders in 2026, the general manager answered bluntly: "I do."
After a rocky ending to the 2025 season, the Raiders' superstar pass rusher has been at the center of trade rumors around the league.
"Maxx is an elite player," Spytek said. "I've been very upfront from the start when I got here that we're in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them. It's hard to build a great team without elite players ... Maxx and I have a great relationship. He's in the building every day getting healthy right now. We talk on the phone, we text. I have a great relationship with Maxx."
Spytek affirmed his confidence in the 28-year-old Crosby continuing his career with the organization that drafted him in the fourth round in 2019 and made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history just last year.
While the organization's desire to keep Crosby in Las Vegas has been publicly known, Crosby's desire to remain with the Raiders has been questioned. For the final question of Spytek's 17-minute press conference, he was asked whether he considers Crosby untradeable or would listen to offers. Spytek chuckled and said, "We're always listening, man."
After finishing with a 3-14 record in 2025, the Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They're widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick, but at one point in the press conference, Spytek was asked if the Raiders would field calls from teams interested in trading for the pick.
"I learned a long time ago, always listen," Spytek said. "I'm always listening."
In addition to Crosby's future, the quarterback situation is where the brightest spotlight shines on the Raiders this offseason. While they've already secured a position to draft Mendoza in April, they have a decision to make on their 2025 starter, veteran Geno Smith, in the coming weeks.
"Obviously, the contract predicates that a little bit," Spytek said. "(Head coach) Klint (Kubiak) and his staff are just getting together. We're going to spend some time here and then when we get back to Vegas, kind of formulate the plan with everybody going forward."
The contract element that Spytek mentioned refers to the fact that an additional $8 million of Smith's 2026 salary will become guaranteed if he's on the Raiders' roster on the third day of the 2026 league year, which begins March 11. When Smith signed his extension last year, he received $58.5 million guaranteed, which included his 2025 compensation and $18.5 million of his 2026 salary. The Raiders traded for Smith last year to reunite him with coach Pete Carroll; however, Carroll was fired in January after one season. Kubiak was hired after winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
When Kubiak joined the Seahawks as their offensive coordinator last January, Smith was starting quarterback on their roster. Eventually, Seattle traded away Smith and signed Sam Darnold in free agency.
While Smith did not have a good season in 2025, the Raiders will need to consider whether Smith can be an asset for them to advance the position in the future. Even if the Raiders do draft Mendoza with the top pick, Spytek didn't guarantee that Mendoza would start for the team in Week 1.
"I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start," Spytek said regarding the plans that need to be in place for a young quarterback. "Now, if you have a young quarterback, I'm not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away, either. So, (having) another quality player that can play the quarterback position if you have a young quarterback. Obviously a great offensive line; run game; all things that can limit his chances to really get killed. A great defense too because if he doesn’t feel like he has to go out there and score 35 points every week I think that’s helpful."
Spytek also said that minority owner Tom Brady's presence would be an asset for any Raiders quarterback's development. Brady, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2000, was a backup to Drew Bledsoe for his first season in the NFL before taking over as the starter in his second year and leading the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl title.