NFL Defenders Are Getting Paid This Offseason Too

In a Wild Offseason, Some of the League's Top Defenders Are Getting Paid!

· Mar 06 - 6 minutes read

Maxx Crosby Just Got P-A-I-D

Rejoice, Las Vegas Raiders fans! As NFL news reported, Maxx Crosby, the team’s star pass rusher and most important player in the franchise was just awarded the biggest contract extension this offseason, three years and $106.5 million, including $91.5 million guaranteed.

NFL Defenders Are Getting Paid This Offseason Too — Defensive end Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders / Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

Las Vegas Raiders are signing Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension that includes $91.5 guaranteed, making him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, per sources.

For the third time in four years, the Raiders are addressing the contract of… pic.twitter.com/TKdIQdqqia

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2025

Crosby, regarded by many as one of the absolute best pass rushers in the league, now also holds the title of the highest-paid non-quarterback player in NFL history. Not bad for a former two-star recruit out of Eastern Michigan University.

Since joining the NFL in 2019, Crosby has played 95 NFL games with the Raiders, becoming a hero for one of the most loyal fanbases in football.

When asked what this new multimillion-dollar extension meant for him, Crosby, who has never shied away from his love for the silver and black, had a straightforward message: It’s not about the money for him; it’s about leading the Raiders to success in the future.

“I feel like I was meant to be a Raider. I love being here. I love the people. You look at all the legends that created what this brand is, and that’s winning. Ted Hendricks, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, the guys like that that I look up to. That’s what I want to solidify, and those guys are all about winning.”

To All My Fans, Supporters, Raider Nation, My Tight Knit Circle, The Believers, The Doubters. I Love All Of Yall. You’ve Helped Me Get To This Point & We Are Truly Just Getting Started. To All The Kids Out There Watching… Bet On Yourself, Take Risks, Obsess With Your Dream &…

— Maxx Crosby (@CrosbyMaxx) March 6, 2025

Here’s to Crosby leading LV to the promised land. If there’s a player in the league who deserves his shot at title contention, it’s the four-time Pro Bowler.

Philly Just Gave Baun $51 Million Reasons to Stay an Eagle

Whatever Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman drinks every morning before work should be studied because this man cannot fail at striking deals for his team.

Following Saquon Barkley’s contract extension and not letting NFL rumors get ahead, Roseman decided to make yet another master move, re-signing All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract with $36 million guaranteed for a player who did not shy away from letting everybody know he wished to continue being an Eagle.

The Bald Eagle is BACK ‼️

We’ve agreed to terms to sign Zack Baun to a three-year deal through 2027.@Toyota | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/kFSx8egbCr

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 5, 2025

Having joined the team on a one-year $4 million deal back in March, Baun became one of the most important pieces in Philly’s defense, putting up 151 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, four passes defended, and 3.5 sacks.

Zack Baun is staying in Philly 🦅 pic.twitter.com/lHMK9bUCdF

— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2025

With the Eagles already being pitted as early Super Bowl LX betting odds favorites alongside the, seriously, Roseman and the Eagles do not know how to lose.

Cowboys, Do Right by Micah Parsons!

From an NFC East team winning at everything they do to a divisional rival that cannot catch a break, who’s ready to talk about the Dallas Cowboys?

Not wasting a second after Crosby’s extension news, another of the league’s premier pass rushers, Micah Parsons—the only reason teams fear seeing the Cowboys in their NFL schedule—has started making headlines about what a potential new contract could look like for him.

🚨PROJECTION: #Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons is projected to sign a 4-YEAR, $144 MILLION CONTRACT extension.

Parsons has one year remaining on his contract and this would make him the highest paid defender ever.@MicahhParsons11, 25, is a 3x All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler. pic.twitter.com/sLASWnC1Ve

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 5, 2025

Still on his rookie contract, with an expected $24 million cap hit for the upcoming season, following Dallas’ decision to pick up his fifth-year option last year, it would honestly take some of the absolute worst decision-making skills from Jerry Jones to not pay Parsons, the team’s most important player the money he deserves.

It borders on stupid that this decision would require time to consider, even if the team just paid defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa $80 million, including $58 million guaranteed on a new four-year deal.

.@MinaKimes doesn’t understand “what’s so hard” about the Cowboys extending All-Pro LB Micah Parsons 😅

“You take the top edge contract … then you add some money. Boom. Done.” pic.twitter.com/B6u3nuustj

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 3, 2025

Then again, though, it’s the Cowboys we’re talking about here, so expecting stupidity is easier than sharp decision-making skills.

Joey Bosa Is Looking for a New Home

Heading west, the Los Angeles Chargers decided yesterday to release the last remaining player from their extinct San Diego chapter, Joey Bosa, after nine seasons with the team, making this the first time Bosa, a five-time Pro Bowler, will hit the free agency market.

Chargers release DE Joey Bosa. pic.twitter.com/efqVoVIRHa

— NFL (@NFL) March 6, 2025

Beloved by Chargers fans, Bosa, who, even while battling with injuries that have made him miss 23 games since the 2022 season, came back strongly in 2024, recording five sacks, will now be looking to join a new team, where, if healthy, could become an immediate impact player.

BEAUTIFUL: #Chargers fans made an emotional tribute thanking Joey Bosa for everything he has done.

Bosa is the last San Diego Charger to play for the team, and that chapter in team history is over.

🥹🥹🥹

Hell of a run…
pic.twitter.com/Dluw6C2mPm

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 6, 2025

Following Bosa’s release, a slew of teams, including NFL picks and predictions of heavy hitters like the Detroit Lions, have already started taking place as potential landing spots for the nine-year veteran.

Funny enough, one other scenario has also begun taking shape, joining his brother Nick in the San Francisco 49ers.