Las Vegas Raiders

Maxx Crosby is getting paid.

The Las Vegas Raiders' superstar edge-rusher is reportedly signing a three-year, $106.5 million extension—with $91.5 million in guaranteed money—that will make him the "highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Raiders confirmed the extension on social media:

Crosby, meanwhile, posted the following video to social media on Wednesday after the news broke:

The 27-year-old was always going to get a significant extension. Crosby has been a Pro Bowler in each of the past four seasons, registering 59.5 sacks in his six-year career. Despite missing five games last season he still posted 7.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, 45 tackles (17 for loss) and five passes defensed.

It was a bit of a down year for Crosby, who the year prior notched 14.5 sacks, 31 quarterback hits and 23 tackles for loss, though missing a chunk of the season contributed to the decline in production.

As for his payday, Crosby's $35.5 million average annual salary tops out above all non-quarterbacks and has reset the edge-rusher market in an offseason where players like Trey Hendrickson, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson could all be in line for extensions.

The previous high in AAV for edge-rushers was Nick Bosa's $34 million on the five-year, $170 million deal he signed in 2023. The previous AAV high for any non-quarterback, meanwhile, was Justin Jefferson's $35 million on the four-year, $140 million deal he signed in 2024.

Crosby's extension, alongside the hiring of Pete Carroll as head coach and John Spytek as general manager, is the first bit of offseason news in what Raiders fans are hoping will be a busy period. The Raiders currently have around $95.8 million in cap space, per Spotrac, and plenty of needs to fill around the roster, most notably at quarterback. The team also has the No. 6 overall pick in this year's NFL draft.

Using those resources wisely will be key, of course. Keeping Crosby happy is certainly a strong start.

The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a contract with free-agent offensive guard Alex Cappa on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Cappa's representatives confirmed he landed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Raiders.

While the legal negotiating window for NFL free agency does not open until March 10, Cappa was already eligible to be signed since he was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.

Cappa, 30, spent the past three seasons with the Bengals following a four-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Originally a third-round draft pick out of Humboldt State in 2018, Cappa started 46 of the 52 games he appeared in during his four seasons in Tampa.

When the Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2020 following the arrival of legendary quarterback Tom Brady, Cappa started 16 regular-season games and one playoff game before suffering a fractured ankle.

Cappa returned to start all 17 games for the Buccaneers in 2021, and he parlayed that into a four-year, $35 million deal with the Bengals in free agency.

Over his three seasons in Cincinnati, Cappa did not miss a single game, starting all 50 games he played in at right guard.

While Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow enjoyed a spectacular statistical season in 2024, he was sacked 48 times, which was the fourth most in the league.

Along with poor defensive play, the offensive line's performance played a role in the Bengals going a disappointing 9-8 and missing the playoffs.

That may have factored into the decision to cut Cappa, as did the Bengals' reported desire to sign wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson to new deals this offseason.

The Raiders' decision to sign Cappa may allow them to move standout interior offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson from guard to center.

Powers-Johnson, who was a second-round pick out of Oregon last year, primarily played left guard as a rookie, but the path is now clear for a move to center, which was his main position in college.

Cappa and 2022 third-round pick Dylan Parham would potentially be the starting guards in that scenario with Andre James, who was the starting center last season, moving into a utility role.

With a new organizational leadership in place and different quarterback options available this offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders are moving on from Gardner Minshew II.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Raiders informed Minshew he will be released when the new league year begins on March 12.

Pelissero added that Minshew has $3.2 million in guaranteed money remaining on his contract. Releasing the 28-year-old will save the Raiders $6.3 million against the 2025 cap.

Minshew's status in Las Vegas seemed up in the air after the team hired John Spytek as general manager and Pete Carroll as head coach in January. He was brought in by the previous regime of Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce.

The Raiders signed Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract in free agency last offseason. He was brought in to compete with Aidan O'Connell for the starting job.

Minshew wound up winning the job out of training camp, but he was benched in a Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos. An injury suffered by O'Connell in Week 7 put Minshew back in the lineup for the next four weeks.

A broken collarbone suffered in the Raiders' Week 12 loss to the Broncos ended Minshew's season. He finished the year with 2,013 passing yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games.

The Raiders still have O'Connell under contract through 2026 on a rookie deal, but they've been heavily linked to quarterbacks in the draft and free agency. They were in the mix to trade for Matthew Stafford before he agreed to a deal that will keep him with the Los Angeles Rams.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders' list of veteran quarterback options include Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. They've also been one of the teams most connected to Shedeur Sanders in the draft and there's a growing sense he could be available when they make their first pick at No. 6 overall.

Moving on from Minshew ensures the Raiders will have a new quarterback starting in Week 1 for the fourth straight season. The last quarterback who started the season opener in consecutive years was Derek Carr from 2014 to '22.

The Raiders are coming off a 4-13 record in 2024. They have posted three consecutive losing seasons since making the playoffs in 2021.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is viewed as a "perfect fit" in Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's system, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Bonsignore noted that the Raiders "remain intrigued" by Milroe, as "plenty of people in the NFL believe his flaws are fixable."

While he may not be ready to start right away as a rookie, there's confidence that he can make an impact over time.

“It may take a year or so,” a league executive told Bonsignore. “But the potential is there.”

The Raiders hired Kelly on Feb. 2 as part of new head coach Pete Carroll's staff. Kelly previously served as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, holding the same position at UCLA from 2018-23.

He spent the 2024 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Ohio State during its run to a national championship.

As for Milroe, he wasn't able to take a step forward as a passer with the Crimson Tide in 2024. His 64.3 completion percentage and 16 touchdown passes both represented decreases from his 65.8 completion percentage and 23 scores through the air during his 2023 campaign.

Still, Milroe continued to make plays with his legs. He rushed for 726 yards in 13 appearances and his 20 touchdowns on the ground were the second-most among quarterbacks in the country.

Milroe was ranked as the No. 5 quarterback and No. 77 overall player in the 2025 draft class on the latest big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

The Raiders own the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming draft, with Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic reporting on Friday that they "came away particularly impressed with Milroe" as well as Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers when going over the film for both players.

Tafur and Reed noted that the No. 6 pick would be "too rich of a slot" to add either player, though.

While Las Vegas may not target Milroe with its top choice in the draft, the team is reportedly interested in his fit with Kelly.

While a lot of fans are wondering how the Las Vegas Raiders will address their quarterback situation, general manager John Spytek might be facing some notable turnover on defense.

The Athletic's Tashan Reed reported Saturday that safety Tre'von Moehrig, cornerback Nate Hobbs and linebacker Robert Spillane are garnering "significant interest" around the NFL.

Spillane has led Las Vegas in tackles in each of his two years with the team. He finished with 158 in 2024, including 10 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Moehrig has been a four-year starter in the Raiders secondary since he was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. He set career highs in tackles (104) and pass breakups (10) while intercepting two passes this past season.

Hobbs is another member of the 2021 draft class. He had one interception and five pass breakups in 11 appearances in 2024.

While none of the three is considered an elite free agent, Reed's report makes it clear they have some value.

The Athletic ranked Moehrig as the 26th-best free agent, and NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal had him a little higher (No. 22). Spillane was 46th and 60th respectively on the two lists.

The Raiders are flush with cash this offseason. Their $96.6 million in salary cap space trails only the New England Patriots for the most in the league. They need every bit of that money to improve a roster whose flaws were evident in the team's 4-13 record.

General manager John Spytek should have the flexibility to retain the Raiders' best defensive players, with Spillane and Moehrig as obvious examples, while improving the unit with some outside talent.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers both made positive impressions on the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed.

"According to league sources, the Raiders came away particularly impressed with Milroe and Ewers when going over X's and O's and film," the report said.

Tafur and Reed went on to say, however, that the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL draft "would be too rich of a slot" for either player. Milroe ranks 77th overall on Bleacher Report's big board, while Ewers is down at No. 100.

In their search for a new quarterback, the Raiders saw one possible option eliminated when Matthew Stafford agreed to a contract restructure with the Los Angeles Rams. Las Vegas was one of the teams interested in the two-time Pro Bowler.

Tafur and Reed reported general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady "prioritized Stafford because they are not super high on Sam Darnold or the other potential free agents."

"There are members of the Raiders' offensive coaching staff who prefer adding a proven veteran quarterback to taking a dice roll on a rookie quarterback, according to league sources," The Athletic report added. "The 2025 draft class isn't perceived to be deep at quarterback, and there's a chance that the only options worth drafting in the first round will be gone by the time the Raiders are on the clock."

Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders are widely considered the two best QBs available, and there's a strong chance neither lasts past the top five selections. Ward and Sanders went first and third respectively in B/R's most recent mock.

Rather than making a massive reach in the first round, perhaps the Raiders will hedge their bets by signing an experienced free agent and using a Day 2 pick on a quarterback.

In that scenario, Las Vegas would have a solid short-term option with a potential successor waiting in the wings.

The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold and Justin Fields in free agency after missing out on Matthew Stafford, according to Michael Silver of The Athletic and Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini previously reported that the Raiders were among the teams with "significant interest" in acquiring Stafford.

The Rams eventually reached an agreement on a restructured deal with the quarterback to keep him in Los Angeles on Friday, per Schefter.

Silver noted that the Raiders might also address the quarterback position in the draft.

It may be difficult for Las Vegas to add top prospects such as Miami passer Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders without trading up, as the team owns the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 draft.

With uncertainty surrounding a first-round trade, the Raiders could make a strong push to acquire Wilson or Darnold.

While Wilson only started 11 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 due to a calf injury, the veteran still proved to be a capable option under center. He completed 63.7 percent of his throws for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns compared to a mere five interceptions.

At 36 years old, Wilson likely wouldn't require a hefty long-term deal as a free agent.

The Raiders also hired Pete Carroll as their next head coach on Jan. 24. Carroll and Wilson previously spent 10 seasons together on the Seattle Seahawks from 2012-21.

As for Darnold, he's coming off a breakout 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings. He threw for 4,319 yards in 17 starts, racking up 35 touchdown passes while getting picked off 12 times.

Darnold helped lead the Vikings to a 14-3 record.

As Las Vegas attempts to bounce back from a disappointing 4-13 record, its front office is clearly prioritizing an experienced quarterback on the free-agent market after missing out on Stafford.

Tom Brady may not have an official role within the front office, but the Las Vegas Raiders minority stakeholder does have the ear of general manager John Spytek.

"He certainly has thoughts and I'd be an idiot if I wasn't listening to it," Spytek told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine.

NFL rules prohibit Brady from serving in an executive capacity for the Raiders while maintaining an ownership share. That presented an early hiccup for he and the organization.

From the moment Brady's purchase was approved, though, majority owner Mark Davis made it clear the retired quarterback would provide some informal advice over personnel matters.

In December, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Brady will specifically "have a huge voice in the organization when it comes to picking the quarterback."

Las Vegas has the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, which might be too late to land one of the two best QBs on the board, Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. Ward was the top overall pick and Sanders went third in Bleacher Report's most recent mock draft.

Spytek remained coy when asked whether the Raiders will trade up with an eye toward Ward or Sanders:

Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline reported Monday that "the overall belief from people in the league is that the Las Vegas Raiders will be one of the teams actively attempting to trade up with the hopes of selecting [Ward]."

Las Vegas has also been linked with Los Angeles Rams star Matthew Stafford and floated as a serious contender to sign Sam Darnold in free agency.

Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll will obviously make the final call with whatever the Raiders decide. But that decision might be guided in part on whatever input Brady offers.

Maxx Crosby has not given any indication he's looking to be traded by the Las Vegas Raiders at this point, but he does hope to discuss a new contract with the club with two years remaining on his current deal.

New Raiders general manager John Spytek told reporters on Tuesday he plans to ensure Crosby remains with the team for the long-term, though he didn't commit to any extension this offseason.

Crosby's name has popped up over the past year as a potential trade candidate given how much value he would have and all of the roster needs the Raiders need to fill.

There was also a moment last year when Crosby was threatening to request a trade if the Raiders didn't hire Antonio Pierce as their full-time head coach. Even though Pierce did get the job, things didn't work and he was fired after going 4-13 in 2024.

With the Raiders bringing in a new general manager and Pete Carroll as their head coach this offseason, Crosby's future was once again a hot topic of conversation. He has emphasized that his hope is to remain with Vegas.

"I'm looking forward to that, and I'm having those conversations, so I believe (the Raiders) will do what's right," Crosby said about his contract in an interview with Yahoo Sports during Super Bowl week. "I have no worry about that. If it doesn't go that way, you never know."

Crosby signed a four-year, $94 million extension with the Raiders in March 2022. Given how the market for defensive ends has taken off since that deal was signed, Crosby is now the ninth-highest-paid player at the position with an average salary of $23.5 million.

Nick Bosa is the highest-paid EDGE player at $34 million per season. Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys could equal or surpass that figure whenever he signs a new deal.

Crosby has been one of the most disruptive pass-rushers in the NFL for the past six seasons. He has 144 quarterback hits, 105 tackles for loss and 59.5 sacks in 95 career games.

An ankle injury ended Crosby's 2024 season after just 12 games. It marked the first time he's missed a game in his professional career.

The Raiders have the second-most projected cap space in the NFL this offseason with $99.5 million available to spend.

The Las Vegas Raiders are viewed as a team targeting a move up to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward in the 2025 NFL draft, according to Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline.

"The overall belief from people in the league is that the Las Vegas Raiders will be one of the teams actively attempting to trade up with the hopes of selecting quarterback Cam Ward," Pauline wrote on Monday.

The Raiders currently own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 draft, which could put them in the range of Colorado signal-caller Shedeur Sanders.

Pauline noted that there's a "reasonable chance" Sanders could fall to Las Vegas on draft night, but the team is still expected to be pursue trading up for Ward.

The Raiders are coming off a 2024 season in which they started three separate quarterbacks including Aidan O'Connell, Desmond Ridder and Gardner Minshew. None of the passers stood out, as Las Vegas ended the year with a 4-13 record.

It's easy to see why the Raiders would be enticed by Ward, as he's coming off a stellar senior season with the Hurricanes. He completed 67.2 percent of his throws for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions in 2024.

Ward should hear his name called early on draft night, meaning that Las Vegas would likely need to trade up in order to acquire him. The 22-year-old was projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

While Sanders may be available without requiring a move, the Raiders are believed to have their sights set on Ward.