Maxx Crosby isn’t trying to focus too much on the Davante Adams situation in Las Vegas.
After all, he said after their 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos Sunday afternoon in Colorado, it’s nothing new to him.
“You think I’m not used to what’s going on? That’s how it is. I’ve faced this problem throughout my career, Crosby said. “It’s like this.”
Days after Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce appeared to publicly endorse on social media the idea of trading Adams, Adams then reportedly told the team he preferred to be traded as well. The Raiders have reportedly contacted teams to “gauge interest” in Adams.
Adams would prefer to play for the New York Jets or New Orleans Saints, although it’s unclear how much progress, if any, has been made on a potential trade.
The wide receiver also did not play in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos due to a hamstring injury. This injury, which would be legitimate despite questionable timing, should not prevent Adams from remaining out long term.
Adams has 209 yards and a touchdown on 18 catches in three games this season, his third with the Raiders. The 31-year-old had 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns last season, which marked his fourth straight year with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Adams is in the third year of a five-year, $140 million contract with the franchise.
“Davante is my boy,” Crosby said. “I like Davante and he’s going to do what he’s going to do. I pray for him, I wish him the best… But we are focused on the Raiders. We’re focused on who’s here now, and we’re focused on winning. We must find ways to make this happen.
Adams’ situation is just the latest dramatic issue Pierce and the Raiders have had to deal with so far this season. He criticized his players for making “business decisions” after being eliminated by the Carolina Panthers, and he doubled down on them a day later, while essentially refusing to take any responsibility for the difficulties of his team. He eventually apologized for the comments, saying he didn’t want to “be a distraction in that way.”
The Raiders, however, collapsed on Sunday. After Las Vegas took a 10-0 lead, the Broncos put up 34 unanswered points en route to their 16-point victory. The Raiders benched starting quarterback Gardner Minshew in favor of Aidan O’Connell at one point, but Pierce declined to name a starter moving forward. The loss also ended an eight-game winning streak against the Broncos.
Crosby returned to the field Sunday after missing last week with a sprained ankle. It was the first game he missed due to injury in his career. He had three total tackles and two sacks.
Pierce declined to get involved in Adams’ situation ahead of Sunday’s game. But with the way things are going publicly in Las Vegas, both with Adams’ trade request and otherwise, it’s hard to think this isn’t having an impact.
