After trade, Maxx Crosby embraces expectations with Ravens: ‘Get to the pinnacle’

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On Saturday, Maxx Crosby sat in front of a microphone, stared into a camera and reckoned with an uncomfortable ending.

“I never thought I’d be in this position,” the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end said in a 13-minute message he shared on social media. “I never thought I’d be going anywhere else. Truly.”

After seven years with the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders, after starting a family, recording 69.5 sacks, earning five Pro Bowl honors, earning over $96 million and making just one playoff appearance, Crosby’s time with the Silver and Black was over.

He was heading to Baltimore, starting over with a Ravens team that had reportedly parted with two first-round picks to acquire the 28-year-old, one of the biggest deals for a non-quarterback in NFL history.

“It’s a new day,” said Crosby, whose deal can’t be finalized until Wednesday afternoon, when the NFL’s new league year starts. “I’m going to Baltimore. Flock Nation, everybody in the whole city of Baltimore, I’ve got a lot to learn. Everything is going to be new to me. And I’m excited and attacking this head-on like I do everything else.”

Crosby said he wouldn’t make “a bunch of grand predictions” about his time with the Ravens, a perennial Super Bowl favorite who entered the offseason needing pass rush help. But he acknowledged the expectations baked into the move.

“I’m going there with one purpose, and that’s to help this team get to where ultimately ... it needs to be and where everybody wants to go,” he said. “And that’s winning the Super Bowl. And I know it’s going to be very difficult. I know there’s no guarantees in this. But I’m going to give everything in my heart and soul to bring a championship to Baltimore.”

Crosby’s time with the Raiders appeared to be nearing an end in December, when Las Vegas shut him down because of a knee injury that he’d suffered in October. The decision frustrated Crosby, who left the team facility before coming back in the days leading up to their season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

He finished the year with 10 sacks and 45 tackles, including a career-high 28 for loss, but coach Pete Carroll was fired after a 3-14 record in his debut season. Crosby underwent surgery on his meniscus in January.

“I know a lot of people have had questions, concerns, especially over these last couple weeks and couple months,” said Crosby, who thanked Raiders ownership and staffers and shared his love for the team’s fans. “I decided to be quiet because there’s so much noise. And, ultimately, I’m a football player. That’s my job. It’s to get healthy, to be the best version of myself, not to be in the drama, not to be involved with all the other stuff. And I’ve learned from my mistakes in the past, being too involved.”

Crosby said he’d spoken with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, general manager Eric DeCosta, coach Jesse Minter and other coaches and front-office officials. He pledged to come to Baltimore “guns blazing” and said he’d give “everything I have in my heart and soul to be the best player I can possibly be to help be the best leader, best example on a daily basis.”

“I’m going to lead by action,” he added. “I’m going to be myself fully. I’m going to help the organization, help my teammates, help everyone involved, get as close as we possibly can and get to the pinnacle. And that requires hard work. It’s going to be ups and downs. It’s going to be a roller coaster. But, ultimately, the goal never changes.”