Maxx Crosby Shocks NFL by Rejecting $150 Million Offers From Chargers and Bears, Chooses Loyalty to Raiders Amid Playoff Collapse

 Posted December 18, 2025

In a decision that sent shockwaves through front offices across the NFL,

Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby has reportedly turned down contract offers totaling up to $150 million from the Los Angeles Chargers and the Chicago Bears, choosing loyalty to Las Vegas at a time when the Raiders’ playoff hopes are all but gone.

League sources say both teams made aggressive pushes, believing Crosby could be the final piece to elevate their defenses. Yet despite the money, the timing, and the uncertainty surrounding Las Vegas, Crosby never seriously considered leaving.

The Chargers’ pursuit was driven by urgency. Justin Herbert remains one of the league’s most gifted quarterbacks, but Los Angeles has lacked a true elite pass rusher capable of consistently disrupting opposing offenses and unlocking the full potential of their defensive scheme.

With Jim Harbaugh known for building around star talent, the Chargers were prepared to spend heavily to land Crosby as Herbert’s defensive anchor.

The Chicago Bears’ interest centered on development and vision. With rookie quarterback Caleb Williams taking his first NFL steps, Chicago saw the window to accelerate his growth by solidifying their defense.

Pairing Crosby with standout linebacker Roquan Smith would have instantly created one of the most feared front sevens in football. The Bears had the cap space, the draft capital, and the willingness to bid high.

Still, Crosby said no.

According to those close to the situation, Crosby’s decision was never about spreadsheets or standings. It was about identity. It was about staying when it would have been easiest to leave.

In a message shared privately with teammates — and later echoed publicly — Crosby made his stance unmistakably clear:

“You can keep the money. I’m not leaving Las Vegas. This team, this city, these fans — they’re why I play this game. I’m not chasing a bigger contract. I’m chasing greatness with the Raiders. Loyalty still matters to me.”

Inside the Raiders’ locker room, the reaction was immediate and emotional. Several players described Crosby’s choice as a defining leadership moment in a season filled with disappointment. One veteran put it simply: “When things are falling apart, that’s when you find out who’s really built for this.”

Around the league, executives and analysts framed Crosby’s decision as increasingly rare in modern football. Turning down nine-figure offers — especially when your current team is nearly eliminated — runs counter to everything the business side of the NFL encourages. But for Crosby, legacy outweighed leverage.

For Raiders fans, the moment landed as both reassurance and challenge. The season may be slipping away, but their franchise cornerstone chose commitment over escape. In a year where belief has been tested weekly, Crosby’s refusal to walk away became a symbol of accountability rather than denial.

Las Vegas may be staring at long odds. But Maxx Crosby made one thing clear: his loyalty to the Raiders isn’t conditional on wins, contracts, or comfort.

And in a league obsessed with exits, that choice may end up defining him as much as anything he’s done on the field.