Raiders GM provides update on Maxx Crosby’s contract situation

INDIANAPOLIS — Among the numerous items on the Raiders’ to-do list is the looming contract situation of star defensive end Maxx Crosby.

Crosby, 27, is entering the final two seasons of a four-year, $94 million contract. The issue is the guaranteed money in the deal has run out. Crosby’s $22.2 million salary in 2025 and $18.8 million salary in 2026 are not guaranteed.

A new deal is clearly in order, one that makes the four-time Pro Bowler one of the NFL’s highest-paid pass rushers. Nick Bosa’s five-year, $170 million contract with the 49ers, which contains $122.5 million in guarantees, is a potential starting point.

New Raiders general manager John Spytek made it clear Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine that a long-term deal that keeps Crosby in Las Vegas is on his mind.

“I envision Maxx being a Raider for a long time,” Spytek said. “And I think that’s what he wants, too.”

The Raiders have 17 looming unrestricted free agents this offseason, and those negotiations could take precedence over Crosby. But it would be surprising if a new deal wasn’t struck before the start of the season.

“I don’t want to make any predictions or speak too much about that,” Spytek said. “I just would say I have an immense amount of respect for Maxx. No. 1, the way he plays the game, the passion he plays with. This is what (new coach) Pete (Carroll) and I have talked about. We want that to be what a Raider looks like, and he’s a great shining example on that. And he’s also a really skilled and talented player on top of it, too.”

The Brady affect

Raiders minority owner Tom Brady was instrumental in hiring Spytek, who he worked with in Tampa Bay, and Carroll.

Brady’s influence will continue to grow over time. Carroll said Brady is “available every day” even as the seven-time Super Bowl champion juggles his duties as Fox’s lead NFL analyst.

“He’s really tuned in to what’s happening, and John keeps track of him every step of the way,” Carroll said. “And then I feel free and comfortable to call him and text him at any time, and we’re responding regularly. So it’s been great.”

Carroll said Brady’s insight has been invaluable.

“It’s hard for anybody to imagine the mentality that Tom lives with on a daily basis,” Carroll said. “He is as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around. … And so I’m proud to represent the way he sees it and the way he thinks and look forward to making him feel real proud of what we’re all about.”

Bringing back Graham

It was a bit of a surprise when Carroll retained defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. It would have made sense if Carroll, a former defensive coordinator himself, hired someone he was more familiar with.

But the 73-year-old wanted a mix of old and new ideas when building his first Raiders coaching staff. Carroll, in addition to Graham, retained defensive line coach Rob Leonard.

“(It came down to) knowing the players, knowing the system, knowing the division, all of that,” Carroll said. “So there was really three elements of putting it together.”

New training camp location?

Carroll said Tuesday during an appearance on SiriusXM that the Raiders will hold their training camp in Napa, California, this year.

The team has yet to make an official announcement about the location of its training camp.

The Raiders went to Costa Mesa, California, last season. They held camp at their Henderson headquarters their first four seasons in Las Vegas.

The Raiders previously went to Napa for training camp from 1996-2019. The fields were adjacent to Redwood Middle School, whose alumni includes tight end Brock Bowers.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.