Maxx Robert Crosby Bio
Maxx Robert Crosby is an American professional football defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. Born on August 22, 1997, in Lapeer, Michigan, Crosby has emerged as one of the premier pass rushers in professional football. He played college football at Eastern Michigan University and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Since entering the league, Crosby has established himself as a dominant force on the Raiders defense, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors while becoming a cornerstone piece for the franchise.
Early Life and Background
Crosby was born with a name that perfectly matched his physical presence. He weighed 11 pounds 9 ounces at birth, which inspired his parents to spell his first name with double X to reflect his large size. Growing up in Lapeer, Michigan, Crosby developed a passion for football at a young age. During his adolescent years, his family relocated to Colleyville, Texas, where he would finish his secondary education.
His mother, Vera Crosby, is of Serbian and Serbian descent, giving Maxx a connection to his heritage that he has celebrated publicly. When fans asked about his Serbian roots on social media, Crosby responded in Serbian with “we are the best, we are the strongest,” echoing the motto of Serbian national teams and their passionate supporter groups. This cultural pride has remained an important part of his identity throughout his professional career.
Crosby attended Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas, where he developed into a notable football prospect. His high school career laid the foundation for the relentless playing style and work ethic that would define his collegiate and professional career.
Path to the NFL
Crosby played college football at Eastern Michigan University from 2015 to 2018, but his journey to Division I football was far from straightforward. Remarkably, Eastern Michigan was the only college football program to offer him a scholarship coming out of high school. Rather than give up on his dreams, Crosby embraced the opportunity and made the most of his limited options, transforming himself into a dominant collegiate player.
During his senior season in 2018, Crosby emerged as one of the most disruptive defensive players in the conference. His combination of size, speed, and motor made him a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. He was recognized for his outstanding play by being named First-team All-MAC for the second consecutive year, establishing himself as one of the best players in the Mid-American Conference. This back-to-back All-MAC selection demonstrated his consistency and ability to dominate at the collegiate level.
Despite limited initial interest from major programs, Crosby’s impressive college career caught the attention of NFL scouts. His production and physical tools translated well to the professional level, setting the stage for his selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Maxx Robert Crosby Career
Rookie Season (2019)
Crosby was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round with the 106th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He wasted no time making an impact at the professional level. In his NFL debut during the season opener against the Denver Broncos, Crosby recorded six tackles in the Raiders 24-16 victory. The following week, he recorded his first career sack on Chase Daniel during a win against the Chicago Bears.
His breakout performance came in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals when Crosby recorded four sacks on Ryan Finley, including a strip sack that was recovered by his teammate. That game earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, making him the first Raiders rookie to earn that distinction since 2016. His four-sack game set franchise records for rookie single-game sack totals. Crosby finished his rookie campaign with 10 sacks and 47 total tackles, immediately establishing himself as a foundational piece for the Raiders defense.
Building Momentum (2020-2021)
The 2020 season saw Crosby continue his development despite a mid-season stint on the reserve COVID-19 list. He recorded seven sacks and showed versatility by blocking two field goals in a pivotal Week 17 victory over the Broncos, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition. His ability to impact games in multiple phases highlighted his value to the team.
2021 marked Crosby’s emergence as one of the league’s elite pass rushers. He opened the season with a dominant performance against the Baltimore Ravens, recording two sacks in an overtime victory. Throughout the season, he set personal bests with seven passes defended and 30 quarterback hits, the latter figure leading the team. His consistency earned him Second-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. Crosby was ranked 59th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022 list, reflecting growing recognition around the league.
Defensive Star Era (2022-2023)
On March 11, 2022, Crosby signed a landmark four-year, $98.98 million contract extension with the Raiders on the second anniversary of his sobriety. The deal made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league. That season, he delivered with a career-high 12.5 sacks and 89 total tackles while leading the NFL with 22 tackles for loss. His exceptional play earned him his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and a significant jump to 17th on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
The 2023 season proved to be Crosby’s most prolific as a professional. He recorded 14.5 sacks and tied for the league lead with 23 tackles for loss, demonstrating his status as one of the most disruptive forces in all of football. His performance against the Green Bay Packers in Week 5, where he recorded four tackles for loss and a sack, earned him another AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor. Crosby finished the season with 90 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and two passes defended. He earned Pro Bowl honors for the third consecutive year and climbed to 10th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024, cementing his status among the league’s elite defenders.
Las Vegas Raiders Tenure (2019-Present)
Throughout his career with the Raiders organization, Crosby has been the anchor of the defensive line. Originally drafted by the Oakland Raiders before the team’s relocation to Las Vegas, he has been a constant presence through the transition. His relentless motor, elite physical tools, and football intelligence have made him the centerpiece of the Raiders pass rush.
In March 2025, Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with $91.5 million guaranteed, making him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback at the time with an average salary of $35.5 million per year. This deal reflected his standing as one of the most valuable defensive players in professional football.
Playing Style and Strengths
Crosby’s game is built around exceptional athleticism combined with a non-stop motor that never seems to idle. At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, he possesses the size-speed combination that NFL offenses struggle to contain. His bend ability around the edge allows him to flatten corners and collapse pockets, while his powerful hands help him shed blocks and penetrate gaps. Since 2019, his 324 pressures lead the league by a significant margin, demonstrating his consistent ability to disrupt opposing passing games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his regular-season excellence, Crosby has delivered in key moments throughout his career. His AFC Defensive Player of the Week performances have come against quality opponents including Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. His four-sack game as a rookie remains one of the most impressive single-game performances by a young pass rusher in recent memory. In 2023, Eastern Michigan honored him by renaming the football stadium’s field to Crosby Field following his $1 million donation to the program.
Maxx Robert Crosby Career Stats
Throughout his NFL career from 2019 through 2025, Crosby has compiled impressive statistics while establishing himself among the league’s elite defensive ends. His career trajectory shows consistent improvement and sustained excellence across multiple seasons.
Career Highlights
Crosby has accumulated 69.5 career sacks along with 439 total tackles through the 2025 season. His 11 career forced fumbles demonstrate his ability to create turnovers at critical moments. He has also shown versatility in coverage, recording 29 pass deflections and his first career interception during the 2025 season.
Achievements Summary
Five-time Pro Bowl selection (2021-2025), Two-time Second-team All-Pro (2021, 2023), Two-time First-team All-MAC (2017, 2018), Career-high 14.5 sacks in 2023 season, Led NFL in tackles for loss (2022-2023 combined), Four-time AFC Defensive Player of the Week recipient.
| Season | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Passes Defended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 47 | 10 | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | 39 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 68 | 10 | 2 | 7 |
| 2022 | 89 | 12.5 | 3 | 4 |
| 2023 | 90 | 14.5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 32 | 7.5 | 2 | 3 |
| 2025 | 73 | 10 | 2 | 6 |
Family
Family Background
Crosby’s family background reflects his multicultural heritage through his mother Vera, who is of Serbian and Albanian descent. His Serbian roots have been a source of pride throughout his career, and he has embraced his ancestry while building his identity as a professional athlete. His large birth weight of nearly 12 pounds gave him his distinctive name and foreshadowed the physical presence he would develop.
Personal Life
In March 2020, Crosby made the courageous decision to check into rehab for alcoholism, marking a turning point in his personal life. On the second anniversary of becoming sober, he signed his landmark contract extension with the Raiders. He has spoken openly about his recovery journey, using his platform to advocate for mental health and addiction awareness. In February 2022, he became engaged to Rachel Washburn, and the couple welcomed their first child, a son, on October 13, 2022. They married in Nevada in March 2023. In 2023, Crosby got a chest tattoo honoring legendary athletes Muhammad Ali, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan alongside an image of his infant daughter. Beyond football, he has invested in soccer, becoming a minority shareholder in Premier League club Leeds United.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another strong campaign for Crosby despite the team facing challenges throughout the year. He signed his lucrative extension in March, demonstrating the franchise’s commitment to keeping their star defender in Las Vegas for years to come. Through 15 starts, Crosby recorded 10 sacks while leading the team in sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, and passes defensed.
His interception during the 2025 season marked a new dimension to his game, showcasing improved coverage skills for a defensive end. Crosby earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl selection, extending his streak as one of the most consistent performers at his position. His 73 total tackles ranked fifth on the team, demonstrating his ability to be effective against both the run and the pass.
However, the season ended on a difficult note when Crosby was placed on injured reserve on December 27 due to a knee injury that would require offseason surgery. Despite the injury, his 2025 campaign reinforced his status as the unquestioned leader of the Raiders defense and one of the most dominant defensive ends in professional football. Looking ahead, the Raiders will count on Crosby to return healthy and continue his streak of elite production as they build around their star defender.