Maxx Crosby retirement plan on track as Raiders confirm trade decision after Ravens snub

Maxx Crosby might be a Las Vegas Raider for life after all.

The superstar pass-rusher was on his way to the Baltimore Ravens after growing frustrated with constant rebuilds and the decision to shut down his season.

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That call helped secure the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft and the Raiders thought two more firsts were coming their way as a deal was struck for the dedicated star.

“I wanted everything good for the Raiders,” Crosby said in an emotional message to fans. “I bleed silver and black, that’ll never change, and I’m a Raider for life.

“And I truly want to finish when it’s all said and done, you know, in a Raiders jersey, whenever that time comes. But for the time being, it’s a new day. I’m going to Baltimore.”

Hours later, the Ravens dramatically pulled the plug, citing medical concerns, and Crosby reported back to Las Vegas’ facility for rehab.

Trey Hendrickson ultimately wound up being the answer for Baltimore, but NFL teams are always in the market for pass-rushers and there are plenty who would be keen for a player of No. 98’s caliber.

Whether they would pay the same price as the Ravens is another matter and deals become harder to strike as more cap space is eaten up throughout free agency.

Many assumed that the Raiders would be keen to strike a deal after splurging a league-high $281.5 million on free agents.

The latest word out of Sin City, however, is that the team wants Crosby to remain.

“The Raiders, we’re told, never wanted to trade him,” wrote Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “He wanted out.

“Now that he’s back and has publicly recommitted to the Raiders, he’s staying put.”

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Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension in 2025 that ties him down through 2029.

Given that Micah Parsons has reset the market for edge rushers with a $46.5 million annual salary, that is relatively team-friendly.

Owner Mark Davis may have to dig into his pockets to move some things around, but the contract is manageable.

Raiders to draft Fernando Mendoza

At 28, Crosby could play on for a few years yet.

He may even sign an extension if the Raiders can turn things around in Tom Brady‘s second season as an executive and ensure that fans of the Black and Silver never have to see him pull on another jersey.

Much will rely on the shoulders of Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.

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The predicted No. 1 pick long before winning a historic national championship for Indiana, the quarterback has exactly what Brady is looking for in a quarterback.

Incoming head coach Klint Kubiak worked wonders with Sam Darnold and will look to shape Mendoza into a franchise passer.

New York Jets-bound Geno Smith‘s job wasn’t helped in 2025 by an awful offensive line and thin receiving corps and the Raiders have moved to plug some of those gaps.

Tyler Linderbaum has been brought in at center — ironically after Las Vegas blew Baltimore’s offer out of the water with an $81 million offer when it was still believed that Crosby was heading to the Ravens.

Jalen Nailor agreed a three-year, $35 million deal at WR, while Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean and Kwity Paye will join Crosby on an improved defense.

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