Was Tom Brady behind Maxx Crosby’s Raiders fallout? Insider reveals what happened

Maxx Crosby’s relationship with the Las Vegas Raiders has suddenly become a major talking point around the league. The star defensive end built his reputation on toughness and availability.

However, new reporting from early March 2026 suggests tension had been building behind the scenes during the final weeks of the 2025 NFL season.NFL insider Albert Breer revealed on March 4, 2026, during his appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show," that Crosby believed the Raiders shut him down late in the season while the team chased the No. 1 overall draft pick. Reports also pointed to Tom Brady’s inner circle, particularly trainer Alex Guerrero, having influence in medical discussions, which may have deepened Crosby’s frustration with the franchise.

Insider explains why Maxx Crosby felt pushed aside during the Raiders’ 2025 season

The situation came to light after Albert Breer discussed it on The Rich Eisen Show. During the conversation, Breer explained that Maxx Crosby believed the Raiders decided to sit him late in the 2025 season while the franchise pursued the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.“You know, right or wrong, I think his perception was that was communicated to him, that he was being sat down so the Raiders could pursue the first overall pick,” Breer said during his appearance on the show.

For Crosby, the decision struck at the heart of what defines his career. The star-DE entered the league as a fourth-round pick in 2019 and built himself into one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers. He earned five straight Pro Bowl selections and two second-team All-Pro honours while playing through injuries and rarely missing games. Breer explained on the same show that Crosby takes enormous pride in durability and showing up every week for teammates.“I think you have to understand the psychology of Max here,” Breer said. “He’s self-made. A fourth-round pick who’s risen to the highest level. And he’s played just one playoff game.”Another cause complicated the situation. According to reporting from The Athletic, Tom Brady’s longtime trainer, Alex Guerrero, has held influence in recovery and medical-related discussions within the Raiders organization. Brady became a minority owner of the Raiders in 2024, but he cannot stay with the team full-time.

Guerrero reportedly helps monitor player recovery in certain situations.From Crosby’s point of view, that dynamic created discomfort. The defensive end even sought outside medical opinions regarding the knee issue that led to the shutdown. Doctors reportedly told him he could still play through the pain. That difference in medical opinions widened the gap between Crosby and the team. Crosby still maintains a strong relationship with the Raiders' owner, Mark Davis.But the late-season decision appears to have damaged trust. As a result, trade speculation around the Maxx Crosby Raiders situation has started to grow. Teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears have already emerged as possible landing spots. The Raiders, however, reportedly want two first-round picks and additional assets in return, which could make any deal difficult to complete.