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.

During the NFL Trade Deadline, the Seattle Seahawks made one of the best moves in the league when they acquired speed receiver Rashid Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints for only fourth and fifth round picks.

At the time, it appeared to be a top-tier move, especially among the league’s contenders, since the Seahawks were already playing well. The addition of Shaheed raised the team’s expectations, and it has looked to pay off.

That trade looks even better with Shaheed’s clutch performance against the Los Angeles Rams, when it looked as if the Hawks were down and out in a pivotal NFC West matchup with playoff seeding on the line.

After a second interception from Darnold in the fourth quarter, the Rams had a quick three-and-out, forcing them to punt the ball back to Seattle, but with the way the last couple of drives ended, the Seahawks seemed to have a steep hill to climb as they were down 30-14.

However, that 16-point deficit quickly turned into an eight-point lead for the Rams after a big punt-return touchdown from Shaheed, followed by a two-point conversion, which instantly got the crowd and the team back into the game.

After the Seahawks’ defense got another stop and score, the game became tied at 30 apiece. It went to overtime, where the Seahawks scored on a successful two-point conversion after the Rams answered with a score at the beginning of the overtime period. It’s safe to say it all started from Shaheed turning the momentum in their favor.