Maxx Crosby: Trade rumors| PFF| Wife| Contract| Raiders tattoo

Introduction

Maxx Crosby is one of the most electrifying pass rushers in the NFL today. Since joining the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019, Crosby has built a reputation not only for his on-field ferocity and productivity, but also for his loyalty, personal journey, and symbolic tattoos. In this article, we delve into five key aspects of his story:

1. Trade rumors surrounding Crosby

2. His PFF valuation and analytics metrics

3. His wife and personal life

4. His contract details and financial standing

5. His tattoos and their meaning (especially with respect to the Raiders brand)

By weaving these elements together, the narrative of Maxx Crosby becomes more than simply the story of a defensive star — it’s a portrait of identity, commitment, and legacy.

Trade Rumors: Will Crosby Be Traded?

Persistent Rumors, but Solid Denials

Trade rumors around Maxx Crosby have swirled regularly in recent seasons. Some mock trade proposals and media speculation have pushed ideas of Crosby being sent to teams like the Detroit Lions or San Francisco 49ers. These rumors gather fuel especially when the Raiders struggle or when rival teams show clear needs at edge rusher.

However, Crosby himself has aggressively denied any discontent. In October 2024, he stated:

“I don’t want to go anywhere… You got a lot of people that have a lot to say when they really don’t know what’s going on.”

He has referenced his tattoos — including a Raiders tattoo — as a tangible symbol of his commitment.

The PFF Narrative & Trade Scenarios

Even in articles exploring trade feasibility, the media often references analytics outlets like Pro Football Focus (PFF) to justify Crosby’s value. For example, an SI piece called “Ludicrous Trade Scenarios” mentions that PFF’s projection of Crosby’s value has fueled speculation about moves to Detroit.

In that same article, the piece cites his 1.33 PFF WAR (Wins Above Replacement) over three years, which is high for an edge rusher.

So, in many ways, the trade rumors are tethered by Crosby’s analytical valuation — if a team sees elite edge production backed by metrics, they will push the idea that such a player is movable. But Crosby’s repeated public statements indicate he doesn’t see a trade as imminent.

The “Out Clause” & Contract Timing

Part of the speculation emerges from contract structure. Earlier reports said Crosby’s then-current deal allowed for an “out” after the 2024 season, meaning he might become more movable.

This structural nuance can spur speculation — teams see a window of opportunity to trade for a “rental” before the player can walk. But with Crosby now re-signed (as we’ll see later), that possibility is largely squashed.

Why the Rumors Persist

• Media and fans love hypotheticals: Speculating on blockbuster trades makes for click-worthy headlines.

• Needs matchups: Some teams (e.g. Lions after injury) clearly have roster holes at edge rusher, making Crosby a “dream target.”

• Uncertainty about team direction: When the Raiders underperform, fans question whether star players will seek greener pastures.

So even though Crosby appears firmly committed, the rumors may never fully die — especially given his high profile and premium valuation.

PFF & Analytics: Where Crosby Ranks

To understand how elite Crosby is, there’s great value in diving into what PFF and other analytics tools say about him.

PFF WAR and Edge Rusher Value

In the SI article critiquing trade speculation, Crosby is credited with a 1.33 PFF WAR over a three-year span, ranking fourth among all edge rushers. That kind of valuation is rare — it places him in the top tiers of the position.

Additionally, the article cites per-season metrics: 23 pressures, 15 stops, and a 14.1% pass-rush win rate over a partial season with ankle issues.

These metrics indicate that even when not at full health, Crosby remains a disruptive force relative to his peers.

Consistency, Volume, and Context

According to his Wikipedia profile:

• Over his career through 2024, Crosby has amassed 59.5 sacks in 95 games played (89 starts).

• He also ranks high in pressures and tackles for loss in multiple seasons.

Metrics like pass-rush win rate, pressures per snap, and “blocks avoided” are typical PFF indicators. Crosby often ranks favorably in those advanced stats due to his combination of speed, strength, and technique.

Facing Injuries and Sample Size

It’s worth noting that injuries — especially the ankle injury in 2024 — can limit production and skew short-term stats. Despite that, his underlying metrics have held up, reinforcing that his baseline is still elite.

Value in Trade Talks

Because analytics firms like PFF codify Crosby’s impact in quantitative terms, they give credence to trade rumors. Teams looking at “objective value” might be tempted to make offers, even if Crosby isn’t actually on the market.

Wife & Personal Life: Rachel & Family

Rachel Washburn: From College to Life Partner

Maxx Crosby’s marriage to Rachel Washburn is deeply linked to his personal growth and sobriety. Washburn was a college soccer player at Eastern Michigan, which is also where Crosby attended.

In February 2022, the couple got engaged, and on March 4, 2023, they wed in Nevada.

The Role of Support in Sobriety

Crosby has been candid about his struggles with alcoholism. In March 2020 he checked into rehab.

In a 2025 interview, he credited Rachel as a foundational support:

“She’s my rock… I wouldn’t be here without her.”

He also speaks openly about how her presence and encouragement helped him during darker times.

Children and Family Focus

Crosby and Rachel have a daughter, Ella Rose, born on October 13, 2022.

She features prominently in his tattoos (more in the next section), and Crosby often mentions how fatherhood reshaped his priorities.

Life Beyond Football: EMU & Legacy

In a surprising and ambitious move, Crosby took on a role as Assistant General Manager for the Eastern Michigan University football program in April 2025 — becoming the first active NFL player to hold such a position.

This step indicates his interest in long-term legacy, community impact, and perhaps post-playing career ambitions. The move also aligns with his deep personal ties to EMU — where he studied and where Rachel played.

Together, Crosby and his wife donated $1 million to Eastern Michigan in 2023 and launched a “Maxx Match” fundraising initiative.

Thus, the dimension of “wife & family” is not peripheral — it is integral in understanding Crosby’s identity, values, and future ambitions beyond the gridiron.

Contract & Financials

Historic Extension: 3 Years, $106.5 Million

On March 5, 2025, the Raiders and Crosby agreed to a three-year, $106.5 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at that time.

This new deal carries $91.5 million guaranteed, an astonishing figure for a non-quarterback.

Why It Matters

This contract accomplishes several things:

1. Secures his future: The guaranteed money protects Crosby and his family financially.

2. Signals commitment: It stakes the Raiders’ faith in Crosby as a franchise pillar.

3. Quashes trade speculation: With years locked in and high guarantees, his trade value is harder to realize without immense compensation.

4. Raises expectations: Now he’s under even greater pressure to perform and deliver results.

Crosby himself downplayed the financial aspects, saying he remains focused on winning and being the best player/leader.

Previous Contract & “Out” Clause

Before this new deal, Crosby had signed a four-year extension in 2022. That deal had no or minimal guaranteed money left, and rumors suggested an “out” after 2024.

But with the 2025 extension, the Raiders have essentially “locked in” their elite edge rusher.

Financial Implications for the Team

From the Raiders’ perspective, this is a big commitment. Committing over $100 million to a defensive lineman signals that they view Crosby as a cornerstone of their defensive identity. It also fits into the larger trend of defensive stars being paid closer to offensive playmakers.

However, it also raises risk: injuries, performance slumps, or scheme changes could leave the team on the hook. But given Crosby’s consistency and increasing veteran stature, the Raiders likely see this as a high-reward deal.

Tattoos & Symbolism: The Raiders Ink & More

Maxx Crosby’s tattoos are more than just body art — they are living narratives of his identity, values, and allegiances.

A Deep Dive Into His Tattoos

In a GQ “tattoo tour” segment, Crosby breaks down his many inkings, their stories, and what they mean to him.

Some highlights:

• First tattoos: He started early — using his brother’s ID at age 17 to get his last name and birth year on his wrist.

• Great-grandma portrait: He tattooed his great-grandma on his forearm as a tribute to familial connection.

• Sobriety and symbols: He has a triangle symbol representing sobriety and his sobriety date inked on his body, so that he sees it daily, especially in moments of temptation.

• “Turn pain into power”: This phrase is one of his favorites and appears as a tattoo; it reflects how he views adversity as fuel.

• Ella Rose & family tributes: His daughter’s name, his wife, roses — symbolic motifs appear across his chest and torso.

• Raiders tattoo: He has a Raiders-themed tattoo on his back, signaling his deep allegiance to the franchise.

• “Be Legendary” chest piece: His chest piece includes the phrase, along with portraits of Muhammad Ali, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and an infant version of his daughter.

• Future legs & sleeves: He has expressed intent to tattoo his legs and finish the second sleeve in future sessions.

Tattoos as Public Statement & Identity

Crosby’s tattoos are almost a visual autobiography. They tell a story of:

• Heritage & family

• Struggles (addiction) and triumphs (sobriety)

• Ambition and role models

• Team loyalty and identity (Raiders ink)

For example, when the trade rumors swirled, he pointed to his Raiders tattoo as a visible testament of his commitment: “I got this shit tatted on my body … I don’t want to go anywhere.”

In that sense, his body becomes a billboard of who he is, what he values, and where he belongs.

Sobriety Tattoo & Milestones

His sobriety tattoos — particularly the triangle and T-shaped placements with his date — are daily reminders of the battle he’s fought. In 2025, when he marked five years sober, he posted a photo of his sobriety-commemorating tattoo to celebrate the milestone.

He had to retire a sobriety-themed face mask (mandated by NFL rules) but channelled his remembrance into permanent ink instead.

This blend of personal narrative and permanent art highlights how his tattoos are more than decoration — they are part of his resilience, accountability, and legacy.

How These Threads Intertwine

To fully appreciate Maxx Crosby’s story, it helps to see how trade rumors, analytics, family, contracts, and tattoos all interlock:

• Trade rumors persist because Crosby is elite and highly valued. But Crosby’s denials, his tattoos, and now his long-term contract provide counterweights.

• PFF and analytics bolster his trade value but also underscore why the Raiders want to lock him in, not let him go.

• Wife & family anchor him emotionally and contribute to his off-field stability — especially through his journey of sobriety.

• Contract extension shifts the narrative from “Will he stay?” to “How will he deliver?”

• Tattoos visually reinforce his identity, loyalty, and personal values to fans, media, and critics alike.

Crosby’s narrative is in many ways a tension between permanence and volatility: permanence in his loyalties and values; volatility in the business of the NFL, trade talk, injuries, and performance expectations.

Future Outlook & Challenges

Expectations After the Big Contract

With the extension making him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks, expectations for performance, leadership, and consistency rise. He must justify the cap space and guarantee.

At the same time, injuries or scheme shifts could challenge his productivity. The 2024 ankle injury was a reminder that even elite players are vulnerable.

The Raiders’ Trajectory

For Crosby to be at his best, the Raiders need to be competitive. If the team continues to struggle, even a loyal star can feel tension. But with this contract, Raiders ownership and management are making a bet on Crosby being central to their identity.

Legacy Beyond Playing

His involvement at Eastern Michigan as assistant general manager suggests thinking beyond his playing years. He’s laying groundwork for influence, mentorship, and institutional impact.

If done well, his legacy could span from Raider icon to collegiate developer and community builder.

Tattoo Journey Continues

He still has room to expand his ink — especially on his legs and second sleeve. As his life evolves, his canvas may grow with it, marking new chapters in his career, family, and identity.

Conclusion

Maxx Crosby is far more than just a dominant edge rusher — he is a living testament to resilience, loyalty, ambition, and identity. The trade rumors, while sensational, collide with his public denials and the permanent symbols he wears on his skin. His PFF numbers and analytics justify the hype; his contract cements his financial status; and his wife, family, and tattoos root him in personal narrative.

In the evolving landscape of the NFL, Crosby embodies an intersection between star athlete and storyteller. His next chapters — on the field, in his family life, and in his legacy-building roles — are likely to be just as compelling as the ones he’s written so far.