When a blond-haired, lightly inked Maxx Crosby appeared for his NFL Combine in 2019, he barely had anything going for him. His final report then even said that he would be an average backup or a special teamer at best. A few months later, when he entered Oakland as the 106th pick, not much changed. If anything, he struggled with sobriety for most of his rookie season. But there was one person who always stood solid by his side: The Las Vegas Raiders‘ owner, Mark Davis.

So, in December 2025, when GM John Spytek told the DE that he was not playing anymore that season, leading him to storm off the facility, many knew it was all over. In fact, when Davis met Crosby at his home to talk all the frustrations out, both shook their hands, already aware of what was coming: A trade to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks that materialized barely 24 hours ago.

But while he may no longer be wearing silver and black, he already knows how he will eventually retire from the league, as he revealed on his The Rush Podcast.

“I wanted everything good for the Raiders. I bleed silver and black,” Crosby said. “That’ll never change, and I’m a Raider for life. And I truly want to finish when it’s all said and done, in a Raider’s jersey, whenever that time comes.” ​

It’s least to say that Crosby has been through thick and thin with the franchise and vice versa. From beating his habits to becoming the player he is today, the Raiders have been with him. In fact, he has the Raiders shield tattooed on his arm as his mark of loyalty to the team. But over the years, frustrations built up.

Crosby has risen as one of the nightmares for opponents on the Raiders’ defense, but the team has been a question mark on almost every other aspect. In fact, he has had only one winning season with the team when they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 wild-card game. Crosby, for most of the parts, was still okay with it. But things only worsened.

They had five coaches and four general managers in his seven seasons there. He lost hope in 2024 when the Raiders struggled in a 4-13 season, Crosby’s least-wins season, until 2025. Apart from the organizational instability and the loss were other reasons, one being the presence of minority owner Tom Brady’s confidant, Alex Guerrero.

Apparently, he was the reason why Crosby was denied to play in the final two games, as he is the Raiders’ wellness coordinator. While the team needed to tank the final two games of the regular season to maintain their path to the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, his being taken out became the last straw for Crosby.

In seven years, the five-time Pro Bowler recorded more than 400 tackles, including 133 tackles for loss and 69.5 sacks in 110 games. His love for the team remains unquestioned. But he knows where he needs to be now.

“For the time being, it’s a new day,” Crosby said. “I’m going to Baltimore, Flock Nation, everybody in the whole city of Baltimore has a lot to learn. Everything is going to be new to me, and I’m excited and attacking this head-on like I do everything else.”

Crosby thanked Davis for believing in him, as well as Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock for drafting him. He also expressed gratitude to the Raiders’ fans who supported him throughout his time with the franchise.

The Ravens acquired Crosby from the Raiders in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick. Clearly, Baltimore is willing to give up valuable draft capital for proven talent. Crosby is still under a three-year contract with the Raiders that was valued at $106.5 million. But the Ravens know they could lose their franchise quarterback, Lamar Jackson, if there is any more delay in a ring.

For one, Crosby also made it clear that he is ready to give everything to his new team and help them chase a Super Bowl.

Crosby reflects on the Raiders’ role in his personal journey

Maxx Crosby expressed gratitude for the progress he has made on the field, as well as the personal life he has built during his time with the Raiders. He welcomed his daughter in 2022 and married his wife, Rachel Crosby, in 2023.

“It’s been seven years with the Nation. Raider Nation has given me everything,” Crosby added. “My family. Had the chance to get married, have the most beautiful daughter in the world, and grow as a man, as a player, as a leader, as a human being.

“This is not something that I predicted, something that I’ve seen happening. But ultimately, as I said, God works in mysterious ways, man. I’m so excited. I’m grateful. Vegas will always be my home. Regardless of the situation, my family’s here. I got a beautiful house here. That’s not going to change.”

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The trade’s impact extended to his family. Along with Crosby, his wife, Rachel Crosby, also shared her feelings about the trade, reposting a clip from The Rush Podcast with Maxx Crosby on her Instagram story, writing: “Best 7 years wouldn’t trade anything 🖤 we love you so much.”

For him and his family, the Raiders have been a big part of their lives and remain so. For now, his story will digress to Baltimore, but he will make sure he ends it in Las Vegas.