We are a week away from the NFL trade deadline. Every team's fans think their team will do something. Some think they will be buying, some selling. The Raiders are sitting at 4-4 on the season, which makes for some split predictions in the buying/selling department.
The ESPN insider appeared on the Pat McAfee show Monday and had pretty strong feelings about what he sees the Raiders NOT doing. That being trading away their good players.
"The Raiders aren't looking to trade their players..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 2, 2026
They like their team and they feel like they're building something" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/DZLmNFPI0N
"Kirk cousins, Maxx Crosby... the Raiders are .500 in November for the first time since 2020, I believe it is," said Schefter. "They're not looking
to trade their players. They feel like they're building something. They winning. They like this. They're not looking to get rid of these guys. Kirk Cousins is leading the NFL and touchdown passes. You're going to trade that guy. He's a great example for Fernando Mendoza, they want to keep riding him until they fall out of playoff contention, they want to try to make the playoffs. No, Kirk Cousins I don't see is an option."
McAfee has a point with his response. That the better Cousins plays, the more valuable in trade he becomes to a team that is desperate for a bridge quarterback. Meanwhile it's not a matter of if, but when the Raiders will move on to Fernando Mendoza.
As to Maxx Crosby, they traded him once, and once that door is opened, it doesn't just slam shut. Especially for a rebuilding team.
The only way we'll know for sure if the Raiders entertained the idea of trading these guys is if they make a trade. If they don't, it doesn't necessarily mean the didn't consider it. It could just mean that they didn't receive an offer strong enough.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Adam Schefter has strong feelings about what Raiders do at trade deadline
