New Raiders regime takes key first step with Maxx Crosby extension

Maxx Crosby is not going anywhere anytime soon.

The Las Vegas Raiders made sure of that Wednesday by extending their star pass-rusher to a new deal. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the three-year deal is worth $106.5 million with $91.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal ends any trade rumors involving Crosby that have popped up since Myles Garrett requested a trade out of Cleveland recently.

Crosby was drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and made it to the Pro Bowl four times after wreaking havoc on quarterbacks. Crosby said before he wanted to be a Raider for life. This extension brings him one step closer to that goal.

Crosby is an important piece to the Raiders on defense as they look to overcome a 4-13 2024 season. Shortly after the season, Crosby raised eyebrows after he said he wanted to win and see stability amid the firings of general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce. Some took it as a sign he was looking for a way out of Las Vegas. 

He waited to see who the Raiders hired as GM and head coach. That ended up being GM John Spytek and HC Pete Carroll. Crosby came away impressed after January's news conference. For once in his six-year NFL career, he saw hope and change about to happen and the vision both Spytek and Carroll shared. He wanted to be a part of that vision. 

So did Spytek.

"I mean, this is obviously a big commitment, and it's not lost on us," Spytek told reporters at Crosby's news conference, via ESPN's Ryan McFadden. "No one we'd have to do it within Maxx and what he stands for and the way he plays the game and the passion. We didn't have to do Maxx's (extension) right now, but it made sense.

"I told Maxx last night 'this isn't for what you've done. This is about what you're about to do.' He's about chasing championships and so are we."

Crosby has 366 tackles and 59.5 sacks to go along with 144 quarterback hits. He is the type of player the Raiders couldn't let go, but now they have to find the right pieces around him to get the team over the hump. 

Spytek needs to show his star that he will give him the pieces to bring wins and playoff berths now that they extended his contract to 2029.