Reports Seem to Hint at Who’s Behind Raiders’ Unwillingness to Trade Maxx Crosby
After reports popped up on Tuesday that Maxx Crosby was a player a few teams were targeting ahead of the trade deadline, it only took the Raiders (or someone within the organization) an hour or two to put out the message that their star pass rusher isn’t being traded.
Not everyone is buying the idea that Crosby is untouchable, but based on a series of reports in the last 48 hours, it seems like the Raiders’ decision on Crosby might be coming from the very top.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported this week that Raiders’ owner Mark Davis has a “deep affection” for Crosby and while Davis said the future of Geno Smtih is up to the head coach and GM, he had a different tone addressing Crosby.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve got to say it,” Davis said to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo at league meetings this week. “It’s really hard to keep getting asked the same question every month or week or whatever when the answer’s going to stay the same. I don’t know why anybody would think I’d change my mind or the organization would.”
After talking with Davis this week, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini made a statement you don’t often hear from league insiders.
Instead of saying the Raiders aren’t “expected” to trade Crosby or “aren’t shopping” him, Russini flat-out said a trade isn’t happening.
“The Raiders are not trading Maxx Crosby,” Russini wrote this week in a column at The Athletic.
That’s no small statement because league insiders tend to carefully craft their words. They rarely slam the door shut in situations like these. Russinni left her encounter with Davis convinced the Raiders’ All Pro pass rusher isn’t going anywhere.
Could that change? Sure.
But every indication right now is that Davis is the driving force behind the Raiders unwillingness to trade Crosby.
Unlike Tom Brady and John Spytek, Davis was around when the Raiders traded Khalil Mack. He saw first hard how hard it is to replace a great pass rusher.
It could be that Brady and Spytek have no interest in trading Crosby (it would be interesting to know), but even if they did, there have been some pretty strong indications in the last few days (both in reports and murmurings behind the scenes) that Davis wouldn’t sign off on another deal that sends his best player to different team.
49ers QB Mac Jones Has Major Opportunity to Cash In Thanks to Brock Purdy’s Injury
For the second straight year, injuries have defined the San Francisco 49ers‘ campaign. After getting dealt a rash of injuries last season, the Niners stumbled on their way to a 6-11 season, missing the playoffs entirely after coming up just short in their quest to win Super Bowl LVIII the year before.
This season, though, the 49ers have managed to stay afloat, and that’s due in large part to Mac Jones, who has filled in admirably for the injured Brock Purdy for five games so far this season. Jones has won four of his five starts for San Francisco, and while he’s already cashing in on his incentive-laden contract, the longer Purdy is out, the more money he could end up making.
Mac Jones Cashing in Amid Brock Purdy’s Injury Absence
After flaming out with the New England Patriots and spending a year as Trevor Lawrence’s backup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones signed a two-year, $8.41 million contract with the 49ers in free agency over the offseason. After seeing what Kyle Shanahan and his coaching staff were able to do with Sam Darnold, Jones was hoping that San Fran could help him revive his career.
With Purdy missing all but two games so far this season, Jones has been thrust into action sooner than expected, and he’s delivered the goods. His numbers aren’t outrageous (1,404 yards, six touchdowns), but he continues to find a way to help lead the Niners’ injury-riddled squad to victories, and at the end of the day, that’s ultimately all that matters.
Since Jones was brought to town to be Purdy’s backup, his deal featured several incentives in the event he found his way onto the field. After earning his fourth win as a starter, Jones triggered a $400,000 bonus in his deal, but as Dan Graziano of ESPN recently shared, he could still earn another big incentive if he has to continue filling in for Purdy.
“Jones’ deal says that he gets an extra $100,000 for every game in which he plays at least 25% of the offensive snaps and the team wins — but only if the team wins four such games,” Graziano wrote. “Sunday’s victory over the Falcons was the fourth game this season the Niners have won in which Jones played at least 25% of their offensive snaps, which means Jones pocketed $400,000 as a result of that win.”
“He can also get another $550,000 if he plays in at least 50% of the team’s offensive plays this season and the 49ers make the playoffs.”
Mac Jones Set to Start Over Brock Purdy Again in Week 8
GettySan Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones.
Jones himself has been dealing with a couple of injuries as of late, but he’s continued to get starts under center and lead San Fran to victory. There’s no doubt that folks across the league are taking notice of what Jones has done this season, and his strong play has helped the 49ers feel comfortable letting Purdy get 100% healthy before throwing him back on the field.
Ahead of the team’s Week 8 action, Purdy has once again been ruled out, meaning that Jones will earn his sixth start of the season for the 49ers. He will be going up against a tough Houston Texans defense, but to this point, Jones has looked capable of overcoming every challenge he has faced. With kickoff for this game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, Jones will look to help push the Niners’ record to 6-2 on the season.
