There was a lot to like for the Las Vegas Raiders in their preseason debut, but the result was all too familiar.
They were easily handled by the Arizona Cardinals, losing 27-14 in the first game for first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza. It’s just one game, but the year is expected to be a challenging one for the Raiders.
Cowboys Reporter Trolls Las Vegas Raiders With Maxx Crosby Trade Call
Several Raiders starters took the field for a few drives on Thursday, but Maxx Crosby, the star defensive end who had a training camp fight with Kirk Cousins, did not suit up.
Crosby’s offseason was eventful. His relationship with the franchise broke down after they sat him for the final two games of the 2025 season, in hopes of securing the first overall pick. They reached their goal with two losses, but Crosby, a fierce competitor, was upset with the decision. He asked to be moved to a more competitive team.
He was initially traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks. However, the Ravens canceled the trade before it became official. Crosby repaired his relationship with the franchise, and a trade wasn’t discussed anymore, even though teams interested in a deal in March could still use his services, such as the Dallas Cowboys.
After the Raiders lost to the Cardinals on Thursday, Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill used the opportunity to make fun of the situation.
He joked that after the loss, the Raiders should trade Crosby to the Dallas Cowboys as a way to build draft capital for the 2027 season.
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“Raiders might as well trade Max Crosby to the Cowboys now”, he remarked.
Of course, a preseason loss doesn’t change much, and this was nothing more than a bit of trolling. The Raiders used the first overall pick on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and with a few splashes in free agency, they’re expected to be a much improved team compared to last season.
Crosby, meanwhile, is coming off a 10-sack season, which ranked him at No. 5 in PFN’s Edge Rusher Impact Rankings in 2025 with an 89.3 grade. The Raiders did a great job in phase 1 of their rebuild in 2026, and having Crosby around is useful for a plethora of reasons.
He can still be a difference-maker on the field, and as a lethal competitor, he can set the right tone in the locker room to help young players develop.
Even if the offseason was tumultuous, the Raiders should still be happy to have Crosby around.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.