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Raiders’ Price Tag: Two Firsts for Crosby | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

“Crosby is available, at the right price” — what the Raiders’ steep asking price really means

Introduction hook

You don’t ask for two first-round picks and a player unless you’re trying to change the timeline of a franchise. When the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly told the league they’d only move Maxx Crosby for “two first-round picks and a player,” the sports world did that rare thing: it paused, re-routed conversations, and started imagining blockbuster scenarios. This isn’t just trade chatter — it’s a statement about value, identity and how teams decide between today’s best edge rusher and the uncertain currency of draft capital.

Why the demand is headline-worthy

  • Maxx Crosby is not just a good player. He’s a franchise-defining edge rusher — multi-time Pro Bowler, game-wrecker, and the kind of disruptive force that can flip playoff games.
  • But asking for a package on the scale of what the Cowboys received for Micah Parsons (two first-rounders plus a player) is aggressive. It signals that the Raiders view Crosby as an asset worth anchoring a rebuild or accelerating a contender — not a role player you move for mid-round picks.
  • The timing is notable: Las Vegas holds the top pick in the 2026 draft and looks poised to draft a rookie quarterback to reset the franchise timeline. Moving Crosby would be a clear pivot toward a multiyear rebuild with draft capital as the currency.

Context and relevant background

  • Crosby signed a big extension in 2025 and has remained an elite pass rusher through the 2025 season. Yet the Raiders’ 2025 campaign fell apart; internal friction (including Crosby leaving the facility after being told he wouldn’t play late in the season) was widely reported and raised the specter of an uneasy split. (nbcsports.com)
  • The precedent matters: the Packers–Cowboys–Parsons/Kenny Clark trade set a recent market benchmark for elite edge rushers. That deal involved two first-round picks plus a starting defensive lineman, and teams around the league are using it as a template. The Raiders’ price mirrors that template. (nbcsports.com)
  • Media and analytic outlets have started producing mock trades and lists of suitors (49ers, Bills, etc.), showing there’s real marketplace interest — but also serious complications like salary-cap math and what “a player” actually looks like in a package. (si.com)

What the asking price actually buys Las Vegas

  • Two first-round picks: draft capital lets the Raiders either (a) restock talent over multiple positions, (b) trade back for roster depth, or (c) acquire young, cost-controlled starters to pair with a rookie QB. High picks = flexibility.
  • A player in the return package: that’s the immediate plug-and-play piece — someone who can replace snaps or contribute right away. For a defense, this is typically a starting DL, LB, or complementary edge who can ease the loss of Crosby’s production.
  • In sum: Las Vegas would be exchanging a short-term superstar for a blended pathway back to sustained competitiveness — a classic “win-now” player swapped for long-term optionality.

How contenders and rebuilders should think about this

  • Contenders with a short window (Buffalo, 49ers, Cowboys-style teams) might justify giving up premium picks if they view Crosby as the missing piece to reach — and win — a Super Bowl. The calculus: guaranteed elite pass rush now vs. gambled future talent.
  • Rebuilders should sniff for picks, not players. If a team is four-plus years away from competing, taking the draft capital and flipping it into more picks or young talent is better than mortgaging the future for a veteran.
  • Salary-cap and contract length matter. Crosby’s extension matters to any acquiring team: paying elite money for a 28–29-year-old rusher changes the calculus on how many picks or players teams are willing to include. (nbcsports.com)

Risks and counterarguments

  • Age and wear: Crosby is in his late 20s. Elite pass rushers can remain dominant into their 30s, but injuries and diminishing returns are a real risk.
  • Changing team dynamics: Trading away a cultural leader and face of the defense can destabilize a locker room — even for a rebuild. Crosby’s footprint in Las Vegas isn’t just statistical; it’s identity.
  • Overpaying based on narrative: The Parsons trade set expectations. But Parsons was younger at the time of that deal and carried a different profile. Some insiders (e.g., Ian Rapoport) have warned that Crosby’s market might not match Parsons’ exactly. (raidersbeat.com)

Possible landing spots and what they’d owe

  • San Francisco: A natural fit defensively; they’ve been floated in multiple mock trades and could offer a combination of picks and role players. But their picks are late in Round 1, changing the value calculus. (si.com)
  • Buffalo: Has the playoff window and might be willing to sacrifice picks and a player to add an immediate game-wrecker for Josh Allen. Cap room and roster construction could complicate the deal. (cbssports.com)
  • Other contenders (teams like Detroit, Dallas-style suitors) could also be in the mix depending on how aggressive they want to be and what they can move without gutting depth.

Practical red lines for the Raiders

  • Don’t accept just quantity of picks — quality matters. Two late firsts are not the same as two early ones.
  • The “player” must be a starting-caliber contributor, or the Raiders should remain resolute and let Crosby walk if the market is insufficient.
  • If the franchise plans to draft a franchise QB with the No. 1 pick, any trade must leave the roster competent enough to give that QB a chance to develop; trading every veteran piece for picks would be self-defeating.

A few scenarios that make sense

  • Championship push: A contender gives two early firsts + starting DL — Raiders say yes to accelerate contention.
  • Balanced rebuild: Two mid/late firsts + a young starting-caliber player + a future pick swap — Raiders negotiate, keep cap flexibility, and restock.
  • No fair offer: Raiders keep Crosby, ride with him and the top draft pick — accept that a core veteran-plus-rookie rebuild can be compelling if managed well.

My take

Maxx Crosby is a rare commodity, but the Raiders’ asking price is as much a narrative plaster as it is a negotiating stance. By demanding two first-round picks and a player, Las Vegas is protecting its ability to reshape its roster while signaling that it won’t settle for pennies on the dollar for one of the league’s premier pass rushers. Teams should pay attention: a deal could reshape multiple rosters this spring, but it will require the right mix of draft capital, a reliable immediate contributor, and the willingness to absorb a significant contract.

Final thoughts

Trades like this are chess, not checkers. Crosby’s availability — “at the right price” — gives contenders a chance to flip a calculus and rebuilders a shot at reloading. Whether the Raiders get their exact asking price or a negotiated variant, the discussion alone highlights how much teams now value elite edge disruption. Expect heavy phone traffic, creative offers, and a price discovery process that will occupy the next few weeks of the offseason.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Janocko Named Raiders Offensive Chief | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

New Voice in the Silver and Black: Andrew Janocko Takes Over as Raiders Offensive Coordinator

An offseason shake-up just got a fresh headline: the Las Vegas Raiders have officially named Andrew Janocko their offensive coordinator. If you’re into coaching trees, quarterback development or the slow, careful work of rebuilding an offense, this hire deserves a close look — and not just because it continues Klint Kubiak’s habit of importing trusted collaborators.

Janocko arrives after a fast-moving climb through NFL offensive rooms, most recently serving as the Seattle Seahawks’ quarterbacks coach during their 2025 championship season. He brings more than a decade of coaching experience and a reputation for developing quarterbacks and installing detail-oriented, timing-based concepts. For a Raiders offense that finished near the bottom of the league in 2025, the timing feels deliberate.

Why this hire matters

  • Janocko is young but seasoned: his résumé includes stops with the Seahawks, Saints, Bears, Vikings and Buccaneers, plus college coaching early in his career.
  • He’s part of Klint Kubiak’s familiar circle — they’ve worked together at multiple stops — which suggests continuity of offensive philosophy even as the Raiders attempt to change results.
  • This will be Janocko’s first season as a full-time offensive coordinator, but he joins a staff where Kubiak is expected to call plays, which can ease the transition while allowing Janocko to focus on scheme details and quarterback coaching.

Where Janocko comes from

  • Seattle Seahawks (2025): Quarterbacks coach on a Super Bowl-winning staff. The Seahawks finished near the top of the league in scoring and offensive efficiency that season, and their QB play was a key ingredient.
  • New Orleans Saints (2024): Quarterbacks coach, helping veteran Derek Carr produce efficient numbers and a high third-down passer rating.
  • Chicago Bears (2022–23): Instrumental in the development of Justin Fields, working on the balance between Fields’ dynamic rushing ability and his passing growth.
  • Minnesota Vikings and earlier roles: Multiple offensive roles that exposed him to zone concepts, timing-based passing games and player-specific development work.

Those stops illustrate a consistent theme: Janocko has coached or worked alongside quarterbacks at several stages of their careers — young, mobile signal-callers and seasoned veterans alike. That versatility is a useful attribute for a Raiders roster that could blend young talent with experienced pieces.

What to expect schematically

  • Continuity with Kubiak’s offense: Expect West Coast elements, quick timing throws, and a willingness to use RPOs and run-pass complement concepts. Kubiak’s presence means playcalling continuity, with Janocko handling game-planning and QB preparation.
  • Emphasis on quarterback mechanics and decision-making: Janocko’s track record suggests attention to completion percentage, pre-snap reads and third-down efficiency.
  • Adaptability: Janocko has worked with both mobile and pocket passers, which should let the Raiders tailor their approach to the personnel they actually have — and the likely roster additions in the offseason and draft.

The roster fit and implications

  • Quarterback development: If the Raiders are leaning into a young QB (including any 2026 draft pick or recent acquisition), Janocko’s experience with young signal-callers will be central to their progression.
  • Offensive line and run game: The Raiders’ 2025 offense struggled in many areas. Janocko’s arrival won’t instantly fix line play or run-blocking, but his history of integrating passing concepts that help neutralize defensive pressure could buy time for the unit to improve.
  • Coaching continuity: Several members of Kubiak’s Seattle staff are joining Las Vegas, which suggests a cohesive installation process and a quicker ramp-up during spring and training camp.

Things to watch this season

  • How early Janocko’s concepts appear in offseason practices and whether the offense shows cleaner timing and fewer turnovers in the preseason.
  • Quarterback progress on completion rate, third-down conversion and decision-making under pressure — areas Janocko has influenced in prior stops.
  • Play-caller dynamics between Kubiak and Janocko in games: will Kubiak maintain playcalling control, or will Janocko have in-game autonomy on certain packages?

A few data-backed expectations: Seattle’s offense was top-10 in scoring during the Super Bowl season Janocko coached there; Derek Carr’s efficiency numbers under Janocko in New Orleans were notably strong; and Justin Fields’ growth while Janocko was on staff with the Bears showed an ability to coach both the pass and QB mobility into the offense.

Quick snapshot of why fans should care

  • This is a hire that blends familiarity with fresh authority: a trusted Kubiak aide stepping into a coordinator role.
  • The Raiders’ offense needs culture and structure; Janocko’s background suggests he brings both teaching chops and modern schematic ideas.
  • For fans hoping to see a turnaround, this hire raises legitimate optimism — not guaranteed, but sensible.

Immediate takeaways

  • Janocko’s hire signals a continuity-first rebuild under Klint Kubiak’s leadership.
  • He brings strong quarterback development credentials and experience from a recent championship staff.
  • Expect a West Coast/RPO-leaning offense with an emphasis on timing, third-down efficiency and quarterback mechanics.

My take

This is a smart, low-drama hire. The Raiders didn’t bring in a headline-grabbing, high-variance play-caller; they added a detailed-minded coach from a successful staff who knows how to teach quarterbacks and install structure. For a team that needs foundational upgrades more than flashy schematic changes, Janocko fits the checklist: familiar to the head coach, proven in player development roles, and experienced across multiple offensive systems. The bigger question remains the same — can the Raiders fix the offensive trenches and give Janocko a quarterback and line that let his concepts breathe? If they do, this hire could look very shrewd by season’s end.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.