Star edge-rusher hopes to be a 'Raider for life'
Maxx Crosby.
Maxx Crosby is on the books through 2026, and the Raiders’ recent actions suggest a desire to keep him in place for years to come. That sentiment is matched by the star edge rusher.
Vegas accelerated $6M of Crosby’s compensation for 2024, adding $1.5M in salary for the following season as well. He is set to carry big-money cap hits for each of the final three years of his contract as things stand, and it would come as no surprise if an extension were to be worked out down the road. That would allow the 26-year-old to meet his goal of remaining with the organization through the rest of his career.
“The guys who inspire me are the Kobe [Bryants] and the [Michael] Jordans; the guys that stayed at the same place and won in the same place,” Crosby said during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show (video link). “No offense to the guys like LeBron [James] and those dudes – I won’t give them some heat, but they took the easier road traveled and that’s not the way I look at it.
“So, I plan on being here for a very long time and I plan on winning here. You know when I signed that contract, I didn’t have any type of, you know, thought of leaving or idea of leaving. I feel like I’m going to be a Raider for life.”
Crosby signed a four-year, $94M pact in 2022 and he ranks ninth in the league in terms of annual average value amongst edge rushers. He has proven to be a sound investment for Vegas so far, racking up 27 sacks across the past two seasons. He has led the league in tackles for loss (2022, 2023) both times as well and he remains on track to serve as the focal point of the Raiders’ defense for the foreseeable future. He was floated as a trade candidate in the event Antonio Pierce was not named head coach, but with the interim tag being removed this offseason that is now a moot point.
The three-time Pro Bowler should manage to move into third in franchise history with respect to sacks if he remains healthy in 2024. The top spot belongs to Greg Townsend with 107.5, so Crosby (52) has a long way to go in that regard. Townsend also holds the top spot for games played (174), but if Crosby has his way he could threaten that mark by staying in place for the duration of his NFL tenure.
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