The Las Vegas Raiders have made a bold statement this offseason, signaling that they are all in on building a competitive team for 2025 and beyond. At the heart of these moves is star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who not only secured his future in Las Vegas with a massive contract extension but also witnessed the franchise land a veteran quarterback in Geno Smith, shaking up the AFC landscape.
Crosby Commits to the Raiders with Record Extension
After weeks of speculation about his future, Crosby put any uncertainty to rest by agreeing to a three-year, $106 million contract extension, cementing his status as the cornerstone of the Raiders’ defense.
The All-Pro defensive end, who has been the team’s most dominant player, was previously noncommittal about his future due to frequent coaching changes and instability at the quarterback position.
“We’re gonna see what happens,” Crosby had said earlier this year. “I love being a Raider. I want to win here, but there’s going to be a lot of change. I am going to take it one day at a time.”
That change has now arrived—and Crosby is clearly on board with the new direction.
The Geno Smith Trade Shakes Up the Quarterback Situation
Just a day after Crosby signed his extension, the Raiders pulled off one of the most unexpected moves of the offseason, trading for veteran Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.
With Las Vegas in desperate need of quarterback stability, Smith provides an immediate upgrade over the carousel of signal-callers the Raiders have used in recent years.
In 2024, Smith had a solid season with the Seahawks, leading them to a 10-7 record despite playing behind a struggling offensive line. Despite being sacked 50 times (third-most in the NFL behind Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud), Smith still managed to:
- Throw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns
- Complete 70.4% of his passes (5th in the NFL)
- Battle through constant pressure while maintaining efficiency
His 15 interceptions showed there’s room for improvement, but in a more stable offensive system, Smith could bring much-needed consistency to the Raiders.
What the Trade Means for the Raiders’ Draft Plans
Acquiring Geno Smith also significantly impacts the Raiders’ draft strategy. Instead of feeling pressured to take a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick, Las Vegas can now focus on other pressing needs.
One potential target? Boise State’s dynamic running back, Ashton Jeanty, who could provide a much-needed boost to the Raiders’ rushing attack.
With Smith under center, Las Vegas now has time to develop a long-term quarterback plan without throwing a rookie into the fire immediately.
Crosby’s Enthusiastic Reaction to the Move
While Crosby once questioned the direction of the franchise, his reaction to the trade made it clear—he’s fully bought in.
Shortly after news of Smith’s arrival broke, Crosby took to Twitter/X, posting a simple but telling reaction:
“LFG!!!!!!!!!”
For a player who just months ago seemed uncertain about his future, this excitement is a major shift in tone.
A New Era for the Raiders?
The combination of keeping Crosby in silver and black and bringing in a capable veteran QB suggests that new head coach Pete Carroll and the Raiders’ front office are serious about contending in 2025.
With Travis Kelce’s Chiefs still ruling the AFC West, the Raiders are making moves to close the gap—and for the first time in a while, they finally have a clear direction.
The question now is: Will these moves be enough to take the Raiders from playoff hopefuls to legitimate contenders?
If Maxx Crosby’s enthusiasm is any indication, Las Vegas is ready to go all in.