Tom Brady’s team has committed a huge amount of money. (Image: Getty.)
The Las Vegas Raiders and Maxx Crosby have agreed to a three-year, £82.57million contract, making the four-time Pro Bowler the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The contract includes a guaranteed fee of £70.94m, keeping Crosby tied down to the team part-owned by through to the 2029 season.
“I told him last night: ‘This is not for what you’ve done, but for what you’re about to do’,” general manager John Spytek said. “He’s chasing championships, and so are we.”
The defensive end had two years left on a four-year deal, but had no guaranteed money remaining on that contract, after being handed a pay rise before the 2024 season. Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, Crosby has emerged as one of the league’s top edge rushers and has the tied-fifth most sacks since entering the NFL.
“I am extremely excited and motivated,” Crosby said. “I have been here for seven years and it has been a blessing…. A lot of people in this building have helped me. I am about to be five years sober in a week and without that, I wouldn’t be here.”
GM Spytek added: “This is a big commitment, and there is no one we’d rather do it with than Maxx. And what he stands for: the way he plays the game and the passion. That’s what coach and I have talked about and actions are louder than words.”
Maxx Crosby has landed a huge new contract. (Image: Getty)
Brady became minority owner of the team last year and after recruiting Pete Carroll as head coach, next has his eyes on an elite shot-caller.
Just a few hours prior to his contract extension becoming public news, Crosby told Brady to make Aaron Rodgers the new Raiders’ QB: “The first year off an Achilles (injury) is one of the hardest things to do. You see it with Kirk (Cousins of Atlanta Falcons), Kirk had a down year.
“It happened with Aaron, he struggled early on but got better as the season went. I think with all the doubt and all the negativity around Aaron – people saying he needs to retire and things like that, getting cut by the Jets – I think he’s going to come back.
“I know he’s 42 or 41 but I think he’s going to have a big year this year. And I hope it is in (points to himself) around town.”
The Raiders are expected to release QB Gardner Minshew when free agency begins next week, after the 28-year-old had signed a two-year £19.3m contract last season, though only just over half of the figure was guaranteed.