Sitting alongside him was new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, who echoed Wednesday being a special moment — not just for Crosby but for the franchise overall.
“This program is built around competition, and we’re always in pursuit of finding great competitors that will help us build a great team,” Carroll said. “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 is going to get. For us to make this statement today, it’s like it fits perfectly. We’re so proud to have Maxx be part of the organization, but he knows that’s just the start of it. All the rest of it comes after the hard work and the dedication and the pursuit that makes this thing really special. We’re starting with a very special person and player and man, great family man, and all of that just adds up to this is a great day for us. We’re really thrilled about it.”
Wednesday’s news marks the third time in four years in which the Raiders have met Crosby at the negotiating table and rewarded him handsomely. He signed a four-year, $94 million extension in 2022 and received a raise for the 2024 season, with each instance demonstrating Las Vegas’ willingness to compensate him for his elite production.
This time around, the Raiders took a contract lacking any remaining guaranteed money and provided Crosby with financial security, once again confirming their commitment to the four-time Pro Bowler five weeks after he publicly lauded the moves the club has made at coach and general manager.
Those moves didn’t stop the chatter outside of Las Vegas, though. Crosby has long been the crown jewel of trade treasure hunters elsewhere around the NFL, with nearly every edge rusher-needy team placing him atop its wish list with the hopes of speaking a blockbuster deal into existence.
In the end, the Raiders confirmed what we all knew: A trade involving Crosby was never going to be worth it, not even after he finished with just 7.5 sacks in an injury-hampered 2024 season.
“We’re back. That’s all we gotta say, baby,” Crosby said in a video posted by the Raiders’ social media team. “Let’s go win some championships. Keep dominating. It’s an honor to be a part of Raider Nation. I love you guys.”
