Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby bid an emotional farewell to “Raider Nation,” after reports emerged on Friday of a deal that would send him to the Baltimore Ravens.
While the trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, Crosby confirmed the reports in a video he posted to his social media accounts on Sunday. Crosby thanked the organization for its support and promised to work as hard for the Ravens as he did for the Raiders.
“I can’t believe that this is a real thing,” Crosby said. “It’s been seven years being with the Nation. Raider Nation has given me everything. I’ve had the chance to get married, have the most beautiful daughter in the world, grow as a man, as a player, as a leader, as a human being. One thing I could say above all else is that I gave y’all everything I got, and I have no regrets about that. I put everything into trying to win as a Raider.”
He recalled the moment he was drafted by the then-Oakland Raiders out of Eastern Michigan in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
He expressed his gratitude to then-head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock for bringing him to Oakland. He also thanked owner Mark Davis and the entire Raiders organization for supporting him at his lowest point, when he checked himself into rehab in 2020. He thanked the Raiders’ training staff for supporting him through his various injuries, and current GM John Spytek for his work signing him to an extension.
Crosby mentioned several times that his primary goal was to bring a championship to Las Vegas, and he felt he had let the fans and the organization down by making it to the playoffs only once.
“I wanted everything good for the Raiders,” he said. “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.”
He echoed the sentiment to his new fan base, telling the Ravens Flock that he wants to help bring a third championship back to Baltimore. He said he had already spoken to Ravens GM Eric DeCosta and head coach Jesse Minter, along with owner Steve Bisciotti and much of the front office staff. He said he was looking forward to building those relationships further.
Crosby will keep his house in the Las Vegas area, and his family will remain there.
“My family loves the fan base,” he said. “They love everything that comes with being a Raider, man. And I’m going to miss it a ton. But it’s time for the next chapter, and the whole city of Baltimore, the trust’s got to be earned.
“I’m coming in guns blazing. I’m [going to] be myself and I’m [going to] give everything I have in my heart and soul to be the best player I can possibly be, to help be the best leader, best example on a daily basis. No words are needed. I’m [going to] show by action and I cannot wait to do that every single day in that building. Man, it’s going to be incredible. So, um, Raider Nation, I love you guys. Flock Nation, let’s go do this, man.”
According to ESPN, the Raiders will deal Crosby to the Ravens in exchange for Baltimore’s 2026 and 2027 first-round picks. Crosby signed a 3-year, $106.5 million contract with the Raiders in 2025, and the Ravens will likely absorb much of his cap hits for the next several years.
Crosby is expected to give the Ravens a true threat along the edge, which they severely lacked last season. Defensive tackle Travis Jones was the team’s sack leader with five. Crosby, meanwhile, had 10 sacks in just 15 games and has 69.5 sacks in his seven-year career. He also put up 73 total tackles and 28 tackles for loss, a career high.
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