Maxx Crosby discusses Raiders drama and says he wants to stay in Vegas

DENVER – Las Vegas Raiders three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby spoke about his team’s controversial week, wished likely soon-to-be-traded teammate Davante Adams well and reiterated his own desire to return after Sunday’s 34-18 loss in the Team to stay defeat at the Denver Broncos.

This came after a limping Crosby had two of the Raiders’ three sacks, a week after he missed the first game of his six-year career because of a left upper ankle sprain.

“Do you think I’m not used to something like this happening?” Crosby asked reporters gathered at his locker, laughing. “It is what it is. I’ve dealt with it my whole career, so it is what it is.”

The week seemed to start well for the Raiders following their home win against the Cleveland Browns after coach Antonio Pierce said certain players made “business decisions” in the loss to the Carolina Panthers. But in the game against the Browns, Crosby watched from home to rest his ankle, and Adams, suffering from a hamstring injury, cheered from the sideline.

Then on Monday night, a social media account linked to Pierce liked a Sports Illustrated post suggesting that Adams, who has long been the subject of countless trade rumors, may have already played his final game for the Raiders . The same was later removed.

A day later, Adams, appearing on “The Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams,” said he had not heard from Pierce.

“All I can control is this conversation we’re having here,” he said. “And after we’re done with that, all I can control is the next thing I do.”

Sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Raiders would “consider” trading Adams for a package that included a second-round draft pick and additional compensation.

“Davante is my boy, and I love Davante, and he’s going to do what he’s going to do,” Crosby said. “I pray for him and wish him the best. He is not healthy at the moment. He has to get well. But we’re focused on the Raiders. … We’re focused on who’s here now. We are focused on winning. “So we have to find ways to make that happen.”

Adams posted a photo of famed poet Edgar Allan Poe on his Instagram account on Friday, presumably a nod to the Baltimore Ravens as a favorite travel destination.

Also this week, Pierce was slapped with an eight-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA for violations he committed as an assistant coach at Arizona State.

“No comment,” Pierce said Friday. “I work for the Raiders.”

All of this preceded Sunday’s loss in Denver, where the Raiders led 10-0 and were on the verge of taking a 17-3 lead before quarterback Gardner Minshew threw a 100-yard pick-six to Pat Surtain II to equalize the score is 10-10.

Minshew, who completed 9 of 9 passes but completed 10 of 20 with two interceptions, was subbed in for Aidan O’Connell late in the third quarter.

Asked whether Minshew was still the starter or whether O’Connell was now the man, Pierce replied: “I don’t know.”

Then there was high-priced defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who appeared to have suffered a left foot injury when fellow DT Adam Butler jumped on him in the locker room with a protective boot to celebrate a second-quarter sack.

Just another drop of drama for the Raiders and Crosby, who vented about other reports about him, his loyalty and his supposed desire to leave Las Vegas too.

“I have to hear these clowns talking online and on the ‘Pat McAfee Show’ when they say there’s something going on and they speak for me and say I should stay on the sidelines when I have a high ankle sprain.” Crosby said. “These clowns sit on the couch and talk about what I should do. But the reality is that I’m gaining mileage and trying to get it right so I can get back on the field. Everyone knows my intentions and you try to speak for me when you talk to me, if you know what’s going on then we could talk. But don’t speak in my name…if you don’t know what’s going on all hell will break loose.

“These guys know I’m going to take a bullet for them, everyone in this locker room. So there are clowns online and talking, they have their one day a week where they get to go on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ and talk… about what we should do. And you weren’t even a GM, [or] You’re GM for a year. So it’s embarrassing. Don’t speak for me.

Crosby admitted the conversation bothered him.

“I can take a lot of heat and I could do it… I’ve been through that,” he said. “But don’t talk about me if you don’t know what’s going on, and you’re talking for me … or the organization: ‘Oh, something must be going on with Maxx.’

“Come on bro, you know where I want to be. Do you think I want to be somewhere else? No. I have this tattoo on my body. I don’t want to go anywhere.” Crosby showed off a tattoo of the Raiders logo on his right elbow.

“It’s just funny,” he said. “There are a lot of people who have a lot to say even though they really don’t know what’s going on.”