Raiders give pass rusher Maxx
Crosby record-breaking extension
[March 06, 2025]
By MARK ANDERSON
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Raiders not only extended the contract of
star defensive end Maxx Crosby, they made him the highest-paid non
quarterback in NFL history.
Crosby received a three-year extension worth $106.5 million, with
$91.5 million guaranteed, to keep him in Las Vegas through the 2029
season, a person with knowledge of the contract said. The person
spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the
financial details were not announced.
His average salary of $35.5 million in the three-year extension
surpasses Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson's average
deal of $35 million, according to overthecap.com. That was the
previous high for a non QB.
Crosby, however, was asked about receiving the richest contract
outside of quarterbacks at Wednesday's news conference. He
downplayed the significance of it, saying his focus was on helping
the team succeed on the field.
“I've said it a million times, I feel like I was meant to be a
Raider,” Crosby said. “I love being here. I love the people. You
look at all the legends that created what this brand is, and that's
winning. Ted Hendricks, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, the guys like
that that I look up to. That's what I want to solidify, and those
guys are all about winning.”
Crosby has been one of the NFL's elite pass rushers with 59 1/2
sacks since being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He
is on the verge of becoming just the third Raiders player since at
least 1982 to reach 60 sacks.
“I told him last night, ‘This isn’t for what you've done. This is
for what you're about to do,'” general manager John Spytek said.
“He's about chasing championships and so are we. That's why we're
excited to start.”
Known for playing through injuries, Crosby nevertheless missed the
final four games last season because he underwent ankle surgery.
He estimated he was about a month from being fully recovered.
“I'm getting close. Pete (Carroll) was in there working on my ankle
this morning," Crosby said jokingly of his coach. “We're in a great
place, running on the treadmill, doing a lot of different things
now, moving extremely well.”
Carroll made it clear early that Crosby was a big part of his plans
entering his first season as the Raiders' coach, even speaking
directly to him at his introductory news conference in January.
“There’s no way we could find anybody that is more focused and
directed and committed to giving everything he’s got to every
opportunity he’s going to get,” Carroll said. "For us to make this
statement today is like it fits perfectly. I'm so proud to have Maxx
be part of the organization. He knows this is just the start and all
the rest comes after it — the hard work and the dedication and all
the pursuit that makes this thing really special.”
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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, right, speaks alongside
head coach Pete Carroll during an NFL football news conference
Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Henderson, Nev. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas
Sun via AP)
Crosby is known to have a drive that matches his
performance on the field, and he said he was ready to get to work to
try to improve on a season that ended 4-13 and resulted in the
firings of coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco.
It also was a disappointing season by Crosby's standards. He seldom
played as he had in previous seasons, finishing with 7 1/2 sacks and
17 tackles for loss. Crosby had a combined 35 sacks and 58 tackles
for loss between 2021 and 2023 when he twice made second-team
All-Pro.
“I’m not going to sit here and make a bunch of big predictions about
what I’m going to do next year,” Crosby said. “I’m focused on being
the best version of me today, and I’ll worry about tomorrow when it
gets here. I’m truly just focused on the details and fine-tuning my
craft in every single way across the board. Of course, I’m extremely
motivated and excited every time my alarm goes off at 5 a.m. We’ve
got a lot of work to do.”
Raiders sign guard
The Raiders signed guard Alex Cappa, who played for the Cincinnati
Bengals the past three seasons. He was drafted in the third round in
2018 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Cappa spent four years.
Cappa has 96 starts.
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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
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