Raiderstation

Tank is full speed ahead!

In negotiations, one of the most important internal objectives is to establish a BATNA, "best alternative to negotiated agreement". In non-corporate speak, that means one should know what the next best option is in case the deal falls through.

The first thing we need to do is establish the floor of our BATNA. The best way to do this is to ensure that if no deal comes through, Maxx will play for us next year.

If I were Spytek, I would contact Maxx's camp and let him know that we will still do everything we can do get a good deal, but if we can't we should look for a verbal agreement that Maxx will be there for camp and won't be a distraction. When Maxx met with Mark 2 months ago, I imagine the discussion was along similar lines, so just let him know the same agreement is on the table.

In doing so, Maxx benefits by looking like a professional, and also by keeping the widest set of opportunities -- not only can he stay here if he has a change of heart, but also he will have the widest selection of viable suitors if we don't play 'desperate'.

Sounds like that's exactly what we did -- he's back in the building, and some of the reports from credible sources sound like both parties are OK with moving forward together. That's perfect. If that's how it shakes out, we've done an A+ job of negotiating tricky terrain. Win-Win.

If Maxx stays, we keep our face of franchise edge defender, who is now even more motivated than before (if that's possible?). If he leaves, he gets a change of scenery and we get the compensation we deserve for it.

I don't know if we will get exactly the same value as we did in the Ravens trade, after all we accepted their offer because it was 'the best', but if we do end up moving on from him, we will get a lot more from other teams if the option to just keep him is available to us

chucker wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 9:06 am The Ravens don't have to invoke a failed physical, because nothing was ever binding before the new league year started. The Ravens could just invoke "we changed our minds" as a reason for backing out. Just like any player or team can invoke that on a contract agreed to in the past two days. It's bad business, but within the rules.

....the chance that we could spend what we spent yesterday, and still be able to absorb this unexpected 30 million-ish a year curve ball is something that is rarely ever manageable without having to really make some reactionary cap maneuvers to do so, so we are extremely fortunate in those regard to have been able to absorb it with as little pain as we have.

Sold My Soul wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 8:49 am It was mutually agreed upon that it was in the best interest of both parties to facilitate a trade. MC didn't want another rebuild and the Raiders were looking to move payroll and continue a rebuild.

It was mutually agreed from what I've seen that Raiders were willing to facilitate Crosby's request for a trade if they got their asking price. I don't believe moving Crosby right now was a critical part of the Raiders rebuild at this time it was and remains an option if they get good value for him. The Raiders have plenty of capspace and draft picks as is without being forced into making any desperate moves unlike a team like the Ravens. It was clearly Crosby who wanted a trade for whatever reason and now will have swallow his pride a bit and go back to just focusing on playing football. Just my opinion.

This was always a win win for the Raiders. You trade him for good value, win. You keep one of the best edge guys in the league on a bargain contract, win. His knee is and will be fine. Missing out on the 14th pick and potentially another olineman? The wide zone is a unique scheme. Those guys can be had all over the board. Klint specifically mentioned both JPJ and Rogers in a presser. Miller & Linderbaum are already locks. That could be 4 oline positions setup right there.

The Raiders have 10 draft picks. I read a tweet stating that the Raiders went into free agency with Maxx's contract number still on their books. They planned the signings around his 30 mil hit. The Raiders absolutely will not be handcuffed if they want to go sign a few more solid contracts.

WNYRAIDER wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 9:11 am ....the chance that we could spend what we spent yesterday, and still be able to absorb this unexpected 30 million-ish a year curve ball is something that is rarely ever manageable without having to really make some reactionary cap maneuvers to do so, so we are extremely fortunate in those regard to have been able to absorb it with as little pain as we have.

Great post - this could have really f[raiders_icon]cked a team with less cap space and flexibility. We can still do whatever we want in FA - we just don't have the #14 pick.

chucker wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 9:06 am The Ravens don't have to invoke a failed physical, because nothing was ever binding before the new league year started. The Ravens could just invoke "we changed our minds" as a reason for backing out. Just like any player or team can invoke that on a contract agreed to in the past two days. It's bad business, but within the rules.

I dont think its that simple. Sure there is no binding contract but there must be a sort of memorandum of understanding that barring anything unforseen agreements made in advance of the trade season opening will be honored. That's the only way the league can function during the tampering period. A team could really screw another's cap situation/ ability to plan heading into the draft if there wasn't this convention.

We very well may look back at the events of the last 24 hours and be extremely thankful that this bizarre situation turned out how it did. Maxx is a great player. Don't trade him for less value in panic Spy!

tatalalicious wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 9:25 am I dont think its that simple. Sure there is no binding contract but there must be a sort of memorandum of understanding that barring anything unforseen agreements made in advance of the trade season opening will be honored. That's the only way the league can function during the tampering period. A team could really screw another's cap situation/ ability to plan heading into the draft if there wasn't this convention.

All reports are that no agreement is binding. I think it's completely allowed for teams or players to back out of their deals made prior to the new league year. If a team wants absolute certainty, then don't make deals until you can operate with absolute certainty. Nobody forced the Raiders to make this deal Friday.

Jeevo wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 8:07 am My hair is a lot shorter but I made it through the night.

I’m actually more pissed at the Ravens today after hearing basically the entire NFL talking head community state the obvious, we got screwed.

Welcome to the club. Who can blame you??? Pretty much the entire forum is right there with you along my Raider friends, we are all in the same boat. Only a complete and total cold fish wouldn’t be aggravated at what transpired.

My phone is ringing off the hook. Handful of guys I know who are fans of other teams are shaking their heads at the ravens. NFL public as a whole as well. They totally goofed us up and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was premeditated.

Even if it wasn’t and they got cold feet that is bad as well. Neither way is good. They’d be pissed if the shoe was on the other foot. But it’s OK for them to mess up other teams. Third time around now for them.

What a coincidence on the money.

chucker wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 8:39 am I don't think any bridges have been burned. I believe all the conversations with Maxx about trading him were long before Kubiak was hired. I'm sure Kubiak and Leonard would be absolutely thrilled to have Maxx instead of the #14 pick this year. In the near term, we're a better team today than we were yesterday.

Its not just the picks it was the entire package deal that was so wonderful. Its a bummer for sure but our team looks a lot better now than it did at the same time last season.

chucker wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 9:32 am All reports are that no agreement is binding. I think it's completely allowed for teams or players to back out of their deals made prior to the new league year. If a team wants absolute certainty, then don't make deals until you can operate with absolute certainty. Nobody forced the Raiders to make this deal Friday.

Yes sir! Maybe the multi billion dollar NFL one day will get around to fixing this? Or are the ravens gonna keep making trades that the whole world knows they agreed to just to squirm out of it with this loop hole?

WNYRAIDER wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 9:11 am ....the chance that we could spend what we spent yesterday, and still be able to absorb this unexpected 30 million-ish a year curve ball is something that is rarely ever manageable without having to really make some reactionary cap maneuvers to do so, so we are extremely fortunate in those regard to have been able to absorb it with as little pain as we have.

Good point!!!

This scandal is almost as big as when that guy on here faked his own death to get out of paying the fantasy football winners.

If we need more cash we can free up about 25 million or more.

Restructure Maxx Crosbycould free up roughly $16.9 million to $30 million+ depending on how the deal is structured.

Restructure/Extend Kolton Miller could create about $8.8 million to $14 million in immediate savings.

Even more with Chinn, but I am not sure how much we could save there.