The Las Vegas Raiders announced on March 5th that they are re-signing star pass rusher Maxx Crosby to a multi-year contract extension. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the deal is for three years and will be worth $106.5 million with $91.5 million guaranteed, making Crosby the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback.
“It doesn’t change my approach… I’m still going to be here same time every single day and put the work in. That’s just a byproduct of the sacrifice that we do on a daily basis. So when I’m retired, whenever that day is, I’ll maybe go on a couple more vacations, but for the time being, I’m focused on being the best on the planet at what I do on and off the field,” Crosby said. “We have a lot to work. Obviously, it’s a great honor… but my focus is on the day-to-day, and that’s what I’m going to continue doing.”
Committed To Excellence. Committed To Silver & Black.
Limitless. 🦅💎 pic.twitter.com/BSg9N8RwBF
— Maxx Crosby (@CrosbyMaxx) March 5, 2025
“There’s no way we could find anybody that is more focused and directed and committed to giving everything that he’s got to every opportunity he’s going to get,” said recently-hired Raiders head coach Pete Carroll. “For us to make this statement today, it’s like it fits perfectly. And we’re so proud to have Maxx be a part of the organization, but he knows that’s just the start of it.”
Taken in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Crosby has been elected to four consecutive Pro Bowls and was named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2021 and 2023. Since entering the league six years ago, Crosby ranks first amongst defensive linemen in tackles for loss (105) and is tied for fourth in sacks (59.5).
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Are things looking up for the Raiders?
Things have not gone well for the Silver and Black since their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round of the 2022 Playoffs. Despite making the postseason that year, they decided to move on from interim coach Rich Bissacia, opting to hire known-jackass Josh McDaniels. After 25 games as Las Vegas’ head coach, McDaniels was fired midway through the 2023-24 season and replaced by Antonio Pierce. He was only allowed to coach 26 games before he was let go. At the end of the day, though, it was the right decision because they were able to bring in a future Hall of Famer in Pete Carroll.
Ever since Carroll was hired on January 25th, things have felt different in Sin City. They have already started beefing up their offensive line by adding former Cincinnati Bengals guard Alex Cappa. They also brought back safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who played in all 17 games last season for the Raiders. Now, Las Vegas has re-signed their best player (Crosby) to a three-year extension after rumors swirled that he might request a trade.
Job’s not finished. @CrosbyMaxx | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/X5sq8QaIHq
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) March 6, 2025
Right now, the vibes are different out in the desert. With that being said, I don’t think that they are going to be a playoff team next season. That would be an absolutely crazy notion. However, I think it’s safe to say that there is a culture shift going on within the Raiders organization.
Will they be a ten-win team next season? I seriously doubt it. Will they see a noticeable improvement from this season? I expect that to be the case, especially if they can figure out their quarterback situation.
And then, there was one
I think most NFL analysts and fans expected there to be two marquee edge rushers available this off-season: Cleveland’s Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby. Now that Crosby is staying with the Raiders, there’s only one franchise-altering pass rusher left on the market, and he’s not even a free agent.
The Crosby deal will likely create a bidding war for Myles Garrett, who requested a trade last month. Even when there was a possibility that Crosby would be traded, it still seemed like Garrett was the best edge rusher on the market. With the consensus number-two option now off the table, teams around the league will have to put together an even more enticing trade package to lure Garrett away from Cleveland.
.@DannyParkins breaks down why Myles Garrett to the Bills is a perfect fit 🗣️
“If you could do one thing for Buffalo, it would be Myles Garrett. The thing the Bills have really struggled with in the postseason is their defense.” pic.twitter.com/Lvoynp4u4O
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) March 6, 2025
Don’t get me wrong, there are still several good pass rushers that will likely be available in free agency this off-season. Joey Bosa was just released, and Khalil Mack looks like he will test free agency, too. Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick, Chase Young, Demarcus Lawrence, and Dante Fowler Jr. are all scheduled to be free agents as well. But only one of the guys I just mentioned (Khalil Mack) is a former Defensive Player of the Year, and he won that award nine years ago. These available pass rushers are good, but none of them are Myles Garrett.
At 29 years old and only a year removed from being named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, Garrett is clearly the best edge rusher on the market. With the backup option of Maxx Crosby no longer in play, the Browns can up the asking price for their six-time All-Pro defensive end.
