Is Tom Brady the Reason Behind Maxx Crosby Leaving the Raiders?

Mike Silver of The Athletic speculated that the presence of Alex Gurrero at the Vegas facility may have played a part in the Maxx Crosby trade.

Is Tom Brady the Reason Behind Maxx Crosby Leaving the Raiders?

Maxx Crosby and Tom Brady inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Maxx Crosby expressed frustration over the influence of Tom Brady's trainer, Alex Guerrero, within the Raiders organization.
  • Crosby was traded to the Baltimore Ravens shortly after reports of his discontent with Guerrero surfaced.
  • Despite the trade, Crosby stated his desire to finish his career with the Raiders, calling himself a "Raider for life."

Maxx Crosby was thrilled when the league approved Tom Brady as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. However, at some point, their relationship may have deteriorated.

Even though Brady was expected to play a key role in rebuilding the Raiders, due to his commitment to FOX Sports, the 48-year-old posted Alex Guerrero as his liaison at the Raiders’ training facility in Henderson, Nevada.

For those unfamiliar with Guerrero’s identity, he is an Argentine alternative medicine practitioner and personal trainer, best known for his work with Brady and his development of the TB12 Method. Guerrero specializes in Chinese medicine.

Guerrero assumed the role, reserved for Brady, and acted as the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback’s eyes and ears in the organization, an approach that rubbed some players the wrong way.

A report from Michael Silver of The Athletic revealed,

[Alex] Guerrero, who regularly attends practices and meetings, purports to possess significant organizational power, informing players of impending transactions and even indicating to staff members who don’t follow his instructions that their jobs may be at risk.

A couple of days after Silver published the report, the Raiders traded Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens. While there are plenty of reasons for the Raiders to part ways with the All-Pro pass rusher, many are viewing Guerrero’s presence as Brady’s confidant may have played a small role in the move.

Brady filed to own a small share in the Raiders in 2023. However, a conflict of interest prevented him from achieving his dream. It took the league more than a year to finally allow Brady to become a minority owner.

We’ve had a really cool relationship, but we have ultimate respect for each other…What he’s done with his career, on and off the field, that’s something I aspire to be like; he’s the greatest to ever do it. I’m trying to be the greatest to ever do it, so he’s inspired me a lot of ways.

Crosby had said on the Let’s Go! podcast

Brady reportedly convinced Pete Carroll to come out of retirement for the head coaching job. He also brought in John Spytek, with whom he had worked at Tampa Bay. The Raiders traded for Geno Smith from the Seahawks and drafted 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist running back Ashton Jeanty.

Despite the changes, the Raiders won just three games and finished at the bottom of the AFC West for the second straight year. Prior to the Crosby trade, the Raiders cut Smith and are gearing up to draft 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and CFP champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Maxx Crosby wishes to end his career with the Raiders

Crosby may be poised to sign a contract with the Ravens in the coming days, but the two-time All-Pro edge rusher plans on returning to Vegas in the future. On Saturday, Crosby posted a recorded video on social media as a goodbye message for the Raider Nation.

Is Tom Brady the Reason Behind Maxx Crosby Leaving the Raiders?
Maxx Crosby (Image via IMAGO)

Crosby said he is a “Raider for life” and his “bleeds black and silver.“

I’m a Raider for life. I truly want to finish, when it’s all said and done, in a Raiders jersey, whenever that time comes.

Crosby said via The Rush

The Raiders drafted Crosby in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. Since then, he has gone on to make 110 appearances, racking up 439 combined tackles, 69.5 sacks, and 133 tackles for loss.

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