To say Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby is excited about the team’s addition of quarterback Geno Smith would be an understatement. Smith signed a 2.5-year, $85.5 million deal with $66.5 million guaranteed.
“I’m hyped. Geno’s a baller and exactly what we needed for this team and organization,” Crosby told Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. “It starts with the work and commitment. The brotherhood. Now it’s our time to prove that. Let’s go win,” he continued.
Maxx Crosby is Hyped to Play With Geno Smith
Crosby recently signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders, which includes $91.5 million guaranteed. That makes him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL.
Both Crosby and Smith are clear-cut leaders of their respective units. That leadership role has been expected of Crosby from day one, while for Smith, it represents a hard-earned validation.
#Raiders superstar DE Maxx Crosby to me on new QB Geno Smith’s extension: “I’m hyped. Geno’s a baller and exactly what we needed for this team and organization. It starts with the work and commitment. The brotherhood. Now it’s our time to prove that. Let’s go win.” https://t.co/i3SZWY4EF8
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 3, 2025
Smith thrived in Seattle under Pete Carroll, but his career before that pairing was rocky.
Coming out of West Virginia, Smith was viewed as a first-round talent in the 2013 NFL Draft. But after falling to the New York Jets at No. 39 overall, he fired his agents — raising red flags about his maturity and leadership. His first two seasons were marked by inconsistent play and injuries.
Then came a turning point in 2015, when Smith got into a locker-room altercation with Jets defensive end IK Enemkpali over an alleged unpaid $600 debt. Enemkpali broke Smith’s jaw, and Smith lost his starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Things only got worse when Smith tore his ACL in 2016.
Smith Is Someone to Be Hyped About
Smith bounced around in 2018 and 2019, landing with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers in backup roles. But everything changed when he signed with Seattle in 2020 to back up Russell Wilson. By 2022, he had won the starting job and finally found his groove.
Under Carroll’s guidance, Smith delivered a Pro Bowl season. He led the NFL with a 69.8% completion rate, threw for 4,282 yards with 30 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, and posted a 100.9 passer rating. He started all 17 games and led the Seahawks to the playoffs.
He was named the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year by both the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America.
After two more solid years in Seattle, Smith was traded to Las Vegas for a third-round pick. He joins a Raiders team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2021 and has won just four playoff games since 2000.
That’s why Crosby is so fired up to have a quarterback with Smith’s pedigree. For a franchise desperately needing stability at the game’s most important position, Smith brings both experience and leadership.
Bringing in a proven starter like Smith is the first step toward building a team that can make a serious playoff run.