Maxx Crosby staying with Raiders on record-breaking deal

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warms up before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP

The Raiders made Maxx Crosby the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history with a contract extension signed Wednesday morning at the team’s Henderson headquarters.

The 27-year-old edge rusher is now on a $106.5 million deal over the next three years with $91.5 million guaranteed per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That comes out to $35.5 million per year, edging out Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson’s $35 million per year for the richest non-passer in the league.

A month ago, Crosby’s future with the Raiders was uncertain.

He had no guaranteed money left on his contract and alluded to being open to playing elsewhere on his podcast, The Rush, when peer Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns.

Those murmurs died down quickly, however, when then Raiders hired veteran Pete Carroll as their new coach. Crosby attended the 74-year-old’s introductory news conference, and Carroll shouted him out and told him to get the rest of the team ready.

Crosby has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the NFL over the last six seasons after being drafted in the fourth round out of Eastern Michigan. He’s reached four straight Pro Bowls, though saw his production dip a bit last season with 45 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 12 games.

Crosby missed the final month of the season to undergo tightrope surgery on his right ankle. He initially suffered the injury in a stunning Week 2 upset over the Baltimore Ravens and it lingered for the rest of the season.

Crosby hadn’t missed a single game in his career until this season and has racked up a total of 366 tackles and 59.5 sacks.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to lasvegassun.com for more coverage later.