The Las Vegas Raiders not only extended the contract of star defensive end Maxx Crosby, they made him the highest-paid non quarterback in NFL history.

Crosby received a three-year extension worth $106.5 million, with $91.5 million guaranteed, to keep him in Las Vegas through the 2029 season, a person with knowledge of the contract said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the financial details were not announced.

His average salary of $35.5 million in the three-year extension surpasses Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s average deal of $35 million, according to overthecap.com. That was the previous high for a non QB.

Crosby, however, was asked about receiving the richest contract outside of quarterbacks at Wednesday’s news conference. He downplayed the significance of it, saying his focus was on helping the team succeed on the field.

“I’ve said it a million times, I feel like I was meant to be a Raider,” Crosby said. “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.”

Crosby has been one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers with 59 1/2 sacks since being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He is on the verge of becoming just the third Raiders player since at least 1982 to reach 60 sacks.

“I told him last night, ‘This isn’t for what you’ve done. This is for what you’re about to do,’” general manager John Spytek said. “He’s about chasing championships and so are we. That’s why we’re excited to start.”

Cowboys rework deals with Prescott, Lamb

The Dallas Cowboys created nearly $57 million in salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of star quarterback Dak Prescott and his top receiver, CeeDee Lamb.

It remains to be seen what the wiggle room will mean next week in free agency, where the Cowboys have been conservative in recent years.

Coming off a 7-10 record that ended a three-year run of 12-win seasons, and with Brian Schottenheimer replacing Mike McCarthy as coach, Dallas might have a bit more of an itch to fill some holes.

Emphasis on “might.”

“I don’t think ‘aggressive’ is the right word,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Wednesday after a retirement ceremony for seven-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin. “I wouldn’t call us really void in any area, void if you include what we’re going to do in the draft. I’m not looking at free agency as a place to fill a void.”

The restructuring of Prescott’s $240 million, four-year contract carved out almost $37 million in cap space.

That move Wednesday came a day after the Cowboys created $20 million in cap space with a restructure of Lamb’s $136 million, four-year deal. Both contracts were signed last year.

NHL

Lightning boost roster by trading with Seattle

While the Tampa Bay Lightning answered the cross-state-rival and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers’ activity ahead of the NHL trade deadline with a big move of their own Wednesday to bolster their playoff chances, an Eastern Conference bottom-feeder well out of contention was a buyer of sorts.

The Lightning acquired forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle in a three-team trade that also involved Detroit facilitating by retaining salary. They sent conditional 2026 and ‘27 first-round picks, a second-rounder this year and winger Mikey Eyssimont to the Kraken and a fifth-rounder this year to the Red Wings.

The Lightning’s salvo came hours after the Panthers remained active before the 2 p.m. CST deadline Friday, acquiring goaltender Vitek Vanecek from the San Jose Sharks for 25-year-old forward Patrick Giles.

Vanecek gives Florida depth in net, along with Chris Driedger, behind two-time Vezina Trophy-winning starter Sergei Bobrovsky, who backstopped them to their first Cup championship in franchise history last year. The Panthers also signed Jesse Puljujarvi a month after the Finnish winger mutually terminated his contract with Pittsburgh.

Briefly

NHL >> New Jersey Devils leading scorer Jack Hughes had shoulder surgery and is out for the season, a significant blow to the team’s hopes of making a playoff run.

NHL >> Columbus’ Mathieu Olivier signed a six-year, $18 million extension, a deal that keeps the valuable forward and respected tough guy under contract through the 2030-31 NHL season at a bargain salary cap hit of $3 million annually.

NFL >> The Los Angeles Chargers released Joey Bosa, ending the linebacker’s nine-season tenure with the franchise. The move was expected due to Bosa’s large salary cap number and injury history. Bosa had a cap number of $36.47 million for the 2025 season, but the Chargers will save $25.36 million in cap space.

NFL >> Seatlle wide receiver D.K. Metcalf has reportedly asked for a trade. The two-time Pro Bowler has caught 438 passes for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns in six seasons with the Seahawks. His request was made public on the same day Seattle cut veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett.

NFL >> All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun is staying with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl champions announced they’ve agreed on a three-year deal with Baun through the 2027 season.

NFL >> Joel Bitonio will return for a 12th season with the Cleveland Browns. The guard has played his entire career in Cleveland after he was selected in the second round (35th overall) of the 2014 draft.

College basketball >> Jai Lucas and Miami have finalized the contract that makes him the school’s new men’s basketball coach, nearly two weeks after they struck preliminary agreement on a deal, a person with knowledge of the talks said.

soccer >> The expected bid by the United States and Mexico to co-host the 2031 Women’s World Cup can face only a rival bid from Africa, with FIFA announcing its decision to exclude Europe from the contest.

— From news services