Maxx Crosby: The Raider's Pillar of Resilience and Excellence
Maxx Crosby continues to cement his legacy as a cornerstone of the Las Vegas Raiders, demonstrating resilience, excellence, and leadership, both on and off the field. Recently, Crosby co-hosted the "Sack Summit" at UNLV alongside NFL stalwarts Von Miller and Cameron Jordan, an event designed to draw defensive linemen together to share techniques and strategies.
Crosby’s involvement in the summit is emblematic of his growth and dedication to the sport. Von Miller reflected on Crosby's journey, saying, "Maxx had been coming here for years, and to see his growth and his development into one of the best pass rushers in the league, he loved my baby like it was his. So, I just thought it was natural just to bring Maxx in… to kind of give [him] a piece of it, just to ensure the life of the [Sack] Summit. I don't know how many years I got left, but Maxx, he's going to play another 10."
Overcoming Adversity
The 2022 season was a challenging one for Crosby, who played through injuries that required surgeries on both his left knee and thumb in January. Despite these setbacks, Crosby managed to participate in an impressive 95% of Las Vegas' defensive snaps. Reflecting on this grueling period, Crosby said, "I was damn near limited every single day, the whole season in practice… I had to learn to make an adjustment because I can't just go out there and run my knee into the ground. I had to be ready for Sunday."
Crosby's dedication to recovery and improvement began as soon as the season ended, with his personal recovery program starting on January 22. His hard work paid off in the form of career-high numbers, posting 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles, achievements that earned him a third consecutive Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro nod.
Recognition and Rewards
Despite the physical toll, Crosby's consistent performance has not gone unnoticed. Raiders' senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan, who has 30 years of football experience, lauds Crosby, saying, "When you talk about Maxx Crosby, you're talking about the best defensive player in the league, probably in the history, that I've ever seen. Now, I've only been around it 30 years, but I mean, he's that good."
This recognition has also translated into financial rewards. Crosby received a $6 million raise in the offseason, a testament to his value, without any extension to his existing contract. This follows a substantial four-year extension worth $95 million, with over $53 million guaranteed, which Crosby signed in March 2022.
Leadership and Legacy
Crosby is one of only two Raiders who played with the team in Oakland before the franchise’s move to Las Vegas. His tenure has seen a revolving door of head coaches – four since 2019, to be precise, including Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and Antonio Pierce.
Despite these changes and the Raiders’ mixed record of 39-44 since 2019 with only one playoff appearance, Crosby remains a pillar of both stability and inspiration. His impact extends to mentoring younger players, aiding in their development much like he does at the Sack Summit. Speaking about Thayer Munford, the new starting right tackle, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce expressed hope that Crosby’s influence would accelerate Munford’s growth and benefit the team overall.
To Crosby, there are no shortcuts to success. "You talk about fight camps [lasting] maybe three months, four months; I do it 365 [days]. So that's why I feel like, at the end of the day, my consistency is what separates myself and it will only keep getting me better because I don't leave any stone unturned," he noted. His relentless drive and willingness to tackle multiple paths to achieve his goals are clear indicators of his unwavering focus and commitment.
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, Crosby's offseason has been about reinstating his physical prime while continuing to push boundaries. His surgeries were a detour, but not a derailment. "It made me take a step back so I could take three steps forward, and I feel like that's what this offseason was all about—my one goal is to be the best in the world, pound for pound, and I talk about it, I'm about it, I live it every single day and whatever street I've got to travel to get to where I want to go, I'm going to do that," Crosby affirmed.
As the Raiders gear up for the upcoming season with a new right tackle and an ever-evolving strategy, one thing remains certain: Maxx Crosby is a force to be reckoned with. His blend of skill, resilience, and leadership not only inspires his teammates but also sets a benchmark for excellence in the NFL.