On and off the field, Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby has been a dominant force. But there’s one specific offseason date that holds deep personal significance for him.
Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby Celebrates 5 Years Sober
Crosby took to X on Tuesday, March 11, with a six-word message that tells a years-long story. Like many who achieve sobriety after long battles with addiction, Crosby had a strong support system. For him, that person has been his wife, Rachel, who he says stood by him during his darkest moments.
In a 2022 interview with ESPN, Crosby detailed his struggles with alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and other substances.
“I was doing well to the outside world. I was runner-up to the Rookie of the Year [award]. Everyone’s like, ‘Maxx is killing it!’ But I was like wild as …” Crosby said. “I was drinking. I was smoking. I was doing coke here or there. I was off the wall. I’d take a pill. I didn’t even know what it was. It was scary.
“I put her through hell, and nobody knew, like, the extent. Nobody even believed her,” Crosby said of his wife. “That’s such a sad, lonely feeling. That still hurts me to this day.”
Crosby’s journey is one many athletes have faced — losing control before finding a path back. While he credits his wife for helping him stay grounded, addiction is ultimately a battle that only he could fight and win. Today, Crosby is clearly committed to his sobriety, and staying present is his top priority.
Congratulations to The Condor on five years clean!
As for life on the field, Crosby was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and quickly became a standout, recording 10 sacks and finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Despite his internal struggles, he played every game from his rookie year through Week 3 of 2024.
In 2022, Crosby signed a four-year, $94 million extension and followed up with 12.5 sacks that season. He built on that success with 14.5 sacks in 2023, but his production took a sharp dip in 2024 after suffering an ankle injury in Week 2.
Crosby finished with 7.5 sacks in 12 games, missing Weeks 4 and 15 before being placed on injured reserve for the final three games. This marked the first time he had ever missed games in his NFL career.
Crosby entered 2025 with high praise for the Raiders organization, though there were questions about his long-term future with the team. However, after signing a new deal that includes $64 million in guaranteed money, it’s safe to say he’s staying with the franchise for the foreseeable future.