Maxx Crosby makes explosive statement on Raiders tanking allegations

Las Vegas Raiders faces a vital Week 17 showdown in opposition to the New York Giants, with each groups tied at 2-13 and the No. 1 total choose within the 2026 NFL Draft hanging within the stability.

The matchup has shortly been dubbed the NFL’s “Tank Bowl,” fueling nationwide debate about which staff would possibly profit most from a loss.

Amid all of the hypothesis, Raiders defensive finish Maxx Crosby is making it clear that successful, not draft positioning, is his focus.

In a candid lockerroom session with reporters, Crosby dismissed options that he or his teammates are enjoying aspiring to lose to safe a greater draft slot.

“Yeah, I do not give a sh- in regards to the choose, to be trustworthy,” Crosby mentioned.

“I do not play for that. That is not my job. My job is to be the very best defensive finish on the earth. That is what I give attention to each day. Being an awesome chief, being an affect. Being that man on a constant foundation for my staff.”

The fivetime Professional Bowler’s remarks mirror a sentiment echoed by gamers throughout the league who typically resist “tank” framing, which assumes groups or athletes would possibly intentionally underperform to enhance draft odds.

Crosby emphasised that roster development and draft technique are duties for frontoffice decisionmakers, not gamers.

“That is their job. That is the entrance workplace, the coaches, they try this. That is received nothing to do with me. I’ve discovered that lesson prior to now. You may’t management all the things. That is not my job description. My job is to be the very best on the earth at what I do. And that is wrecking the sport.”

Las Vegas Raiders’ final time drafting first total was in 2007, when the franchise chosen quarterback JaMarcus Russell, broadly thought to be one of many greatest busts in NFL historical past.

Raiders season frustrations add context to Crosby’s stance

Las Vegas Raiders’ disappointing 2025 marketing campaign has been marked by turmoil, accidents, and inconsistency.

After excessive hopes coming into the season, the Raiders have stumbled by means of a ninegame dropping streak and are properly out of playoff rivalry.

In the meantime, questions loom over the staff’s quarterback scenario; Geno Smith, acquired in a highprofile offseason transfer, has underwhelmed, and the franchise may very properly be out there for a younger signalcaller within the upcoming draft.

Followers and analysts alike have carefully analyzed the ramifications of Sunday’s conflict, which NFL observers be aware can be solely the third time in league historical past that two groups with eleven-plus losses meet this late within the season.

The matchup additionally carries curious strategic implications. Based on projections, the Raiders at the moment maintain barely higher odds than the Giants to land the highest draft spot as a consequence of variations in power of schedule, although variables stay by means of tiebreakers and last week outcomes.