Las Vegas Raiders picked right day to extend DE Maxx Crosby
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have extended star DE Maxx Crosby, and they could not have picked a better day on the calendar to do so.
Since coming into the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick by the then-Oakland Raiders, Maxx Crosby has established himself as one of the premier edge rushers in the league. It is not often that a player goes from being a fourth-round pick to being one of the more feared pass rushers in the game, but that is exactly what Crosby has been able to accomplish.
Not only has Crosby been able to accomplish great success at the NFL level, but he has also been able to accomplish great success in his personal life. On March 11, 2020, Crosby decided to become sober, and two years later, he continues to live a clean lifestyle.
Two years to the date of his greatest accomplishment, Crosby has secured the bag, signing a four-year extension worth nearly $100 million. He is now set for life in terms of his financial status, and for the Raiders, they get someone they can build their future around with a new regime in place for 2022.
Raiders found a gem on Day 3 in Crosby
With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Raiders decided on Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell, passing up on Kentucky star edge rusher Josh Allen. The decision was met with skepticism when it happened, and is still a head-scratcher to this day, as Ferrell is not even a starter for the Silver and Black.
Despite the team going defensive end in Round 1, they took a chance on Crosby in the fourth round, and Mark Davis has to be ecstatic that they did. Since coming into the league, Crosby has racked up 24 sacks, and this past season, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod, where he took home the game’s Defensive MVP honor.
The move comes only a day after Khalil Mack returned to the AFC West as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, and for those who do not know, Mack was the premier edge rusher for this franchise before Crosby showed up. Going into 2022, you have to think the Raiders have the better player.
For Crosby, March 11 now has two significant meanings, but obviously, him being sober is the most important. He is a hero both on and off the field, and for the Raiders, he will be a leader for this organization in 2022 and beyond.