Are the Las Vegas Raiders tanking? By benching edge rusher Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers, the Raiders are putting their team in a better position to lose.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby, Brock Bowers Out vs. Giants
Scoopage: Raiders told Maxx Crosby they want to shut him down last two games. Crosby, who has played with injuries for much of the year, vehemently disagreed and has left the building @nflonfox has learned. This could lead to questions on his future in Vegas
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 26, 2025
Crosby is done for the 2025 season.
Per Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the Raiders are shutting down Crosby for the final two games of the 2025 season. Crosby has been dealing with injuries for most of the year, but he’s been fighting to finish the season.
After the Raiders informed Crosby about their decision, the All-Pro defensive end reportedly “left the building.”
Crosby is 12th in sacks with 10. The high-motor player also has 45 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception.
Crosby won’t be the only Raider missing from Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
The Raiders placed Bowers on injured reserve, ending his 2025 campaign. It’s been an injury-riddled season for Bowers, who suffered a bone bruise and a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee in the Raiders’ Week 1 victory over the New England Patriots.
The second-year tight end leads the Raiders in receptions (64), receiving yards (680), and receiving touchdowns (7) despite only playing 12 games. Bowers was named to his second straight Pro Bowl.
In 2024, Bowers set the rookie record for receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,194).
Are the Raiders Tanking?
This was Maxx Crosby earlier this week on the No. 1 overall pick being on the line vs. the Giants on Sunday:
“Yeah, I don’t give a sh*t about the pick. I don’t play for that. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world.”
pic.twitter.com/W6aJJwUFan https://t.co/Ujs1zIDKT2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 26, 2025
Entering Week 17, the Raiders are 2-13, tied with the Giants for the worst record in the NFL.
The Raiders’ opponent this weekend is the Giants in a game that will likely determine the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The winner will be the only team with two wins, and the loser could fall out of the top five, depending on what happens to the four teams with three wins.
Safe to say, it’s in the Raiders’ best interest to lose their final two games of the season and secure the No. 1 pick. The Raiders could have a new head coach and quarterback in 2026.
Earning the No. 1 pick allows the team to take the top quarterback prospect, which will be Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore. If the team fires Pete Carroll, Las Vegas suddenly becomes an attractive destination for prospective coaches.
Like the Raiders, the Giants have ruled out several key contributors for Sunday’s game, including left tackle Andrew Thomas. New York knows how important it is for the future of the franchise to get the No. 1 pick.
Crosby doesn’t see it that way, saying he doesn’t give a “s—” about the No. 1 pick.
The Giants and Raiders face off in Las Vegas on Dec. 28.
The #Giants ruled out T Andrew Thomas for Sunday against the #Raiders in the No. 1 Draft Pick Bowl. pic.twitter.com/vVt5RHoSG2
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 26, 2025
