Maxx Crosby: A Defensive Powerhouse's Journey
Maxx Crosby, a defensive lineman for the Las Vegas Raiders, continues to solidify his place among the elite in the NFL. This summer, Crosby co-hosted the "Sack Summit" at UNLV, alongside renowned players Von Miller and Cameron Jordan. The summit, aimed at sharing strategies and techniques among defensive linemen, has become a pivotal event in the football community. "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," Miller said. "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."
Last season, Crosby's performance was nothing short of remarkable. Despite battling injuries to his left knee and thumb that required surgeries in January, he played in an astounding 95% of Las Vegas' defensive snaps. "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 explained. His resilience and determination were evident as he posted career-high numbers with 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles, earning him second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection for the third consecutive year.
The path to recovery began on January 22nd, with Crosby committed to a rigorous program to regain his peak form. "I had to get two major surgeries, and it's been different, but at the end of the day, there's not one street to get to where you want to go, there's multiple," he said. His dedication to his craft is unmatched, often comparing his work ethic to that of a fighter constantly in training. "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."
Being one of the few remaining players who transitioned with the team from Oakland to Las Vegas, Crosby's leadership extends beyond on-field performance. The Raiders have seen a turnover of four head coaches since 2019, and Crosby's steadiness has been a constant amid the changes. The team has posted a 39-44 record with one playoff appearance during this period. With the addition of Thayer Munford as the new starting right tackle, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce remains optimistic. "Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford], and makes us a better team," he said.
Senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan, a veteran with 30 years in football, holds Crosby in high regard. "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," Ryan stated. Such endorsements only underline Crosby's impact on the field and his potential to leave a lasting legacy.
In March 2022, Crosby signed a substantial four-year extension worth $95 million, with over $53 million guaranteed. This offseason, he received a $6 million raise without extending his contract, a testament to his value to the team. Crosby remains focused on personal and team success, striving to be the best in the world. "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."
Maxx Crosby's journey from battling injuries to achieving career-high stats underscores his dedication and resilience. As he continues to lead by example, both on and off the field, the future looks promising for this defensive powerhouse and the Raiders team he anchors.