As the NFL offseason unfolds, one of the most closely watched storylines will revolve around Maxx Crosby and his contract situation with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The standout defensive player has established himself as one of the league’s top stars, and the possibility of him switching teams next season has drawn considerable attention.
However, the Raiders are still in the mix to secure a contract extension and keep Crosby in Las Vegas for the long term.
Crosby has been with the Raiders since 2019, having spent his rookie year in Oakland before the franchise moved to Las Vegas.
With his contract set to expire soon, there’s speculation about whether Crosby wants to remain with the Raiders, who have struggled in recent years.
ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano provided insight on the matter, suggesting that the Raiders will likely find a way to extend Crosby’s contract and keep him in Las Vegas.
“Well, the Raiders are going to have to do something,” Graziano wrote. “Crosby and the Raiders agreed on a contract adjustment last offseason that moved money up from future years into 2024, but the result is his deal has two years left at an average of around $21.5 million annually — and none of it is guaranteed.
“An extension that moves Crosby in line with the other top edge rushers in the NFL is probably the correct solution, and even with the Raiders under new management for the second offseason in a row, I’d expect them to treat Crosby like the franchise cornerstone that he is and get that extension done. He had 7.5 sacks and 43 pressures over 12 games in 2024.”
Crosby, drafted in the fourth round in 2019 out of Eastern Michigan, has quickly become one of the most dominant players on the defensive side of the ball.
Over the past three seasons, he’s posted impressive sack totals of 12.5 and 14.5, followed by 7.5 sacks in the 2024 season, despite missing significant time.
Given his strong ties to Michigan, many speculate that the Detroit Lions could be a potential landing spot for Crosby. However, the Raiders are likely to fight hard to retain their star pass rusher.
In a scenario where Crosby does stay in Las Vegas, he would continue to anchor the Raiders’ defense as they look to rebuild and compete in the AFC.
If he were to leave, though, the possibility of pairing him with Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson in the Lions’ defense has intrigued fans. But for now, it seems the Raiders are interested in building their defense around him.
With an impressive track record and a reputation as a game-changer, Crosby remains one of the most important players to watch this offseason. Whether or not he remains in Las Vegas will be a key factor in shaping the future of the Raiders’ defense.
It should be noted that Crosby has publicly stated his desire to stay in Vegas. This isn’t a Myles Garrett type situation. If anything, it’s quite the opposite.
What are your thoughts on the Crosby situation? … Do you think the Raiders will be able to work out an extension? Or will Crosby soon be shipped out of town???
