Maxx Crosby's Relentless Pursuit of Greatness
Maxx Crosby, the formidable defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, has been making headlines for his exceptional contributions on the field and his dedication off it. Co-hosting the recent "Sack Summit" at UNLV alongside NFL veterans Von Miller and Cameron Jordan, Crosby gave back to the community that has seen his rise. The summit is an annual congregation of defensive linemen aimed at sharing techniques and strategies, and for Crosby, it's a critical part of his ongoing education in football.
"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," said Von Miller. "I don't know how many years I got left, but Maxx, he's going to play another 10."
Crosby’s strides in his professional career have not been without challenges. Last season, he played through significant injuries to his left knee and thumb, both of which required surgeries in January. "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 revealed.
Despite the physical setbacks, Crosby’s performance was phenomenal. Posting career-high numbers with 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles, he was named second-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl selection for the third consecutive year. "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," stated Raiders' senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan.
From Recovery to Redemption
His commitment to the game and the relentless pursuit of improvement have been clear. "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," Crosby remarked. Starting his personal recovery program on January 22, he has been singularly focused on coming back stronger for the upcoming season.
The Raiders, a team that has seen four coaches since 2019 and managed a 39-44 record with only one playoff appearance, are pinning high hopes on Crosby as a cornerstone for their defensive lineup. Crosby also stands out as one of the few remaining players who played for the Raiders when they were based in Oakland. His journey has been emblematic of stability amidst constant change.
The Road Ahead
In preparation for the new season, Crosby continues to leave no stone unturned. "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 emphasized.
Crosby recently received a $6 million raise in the off-season without extending his contract, a testament to the value he brings to the Raiders. His four-year extension signed in March 2022, worth $95 million with over $53 million guaranteed, underscores his importance to the team’s long-term plans.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have named Thayer Munford as their new starting right tackle, a move that head coach Antonio Pierce believes will pay dividends. "Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford], and makes us a better team," Pierce noted.
Crosby's unwavering dedication was aptly summarized in his own words: "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."
The story of Maxx Crosby is one of unyielding determination and a testament to the power of resilience. With his eyes set firmly on the future, the NFL world watches closely as Crosby continues his relentless pursuit of greatness.