Maxx Crosby: An Embodiment of Grit, Determination, and Excellence
In the high-octane world of professional football, few players personify perseverance and prowess like Maxx Crosby. Recently, the Raiders' defensive end co-hosted the "Sack Summit" at UNLV alongside Von Miller and Cameron Jordan, an event that gathers elite defensive linemen to share techniques and strategies. This summit is more than just an assembly of talent; it's a crucible where champions forge their craft.
Having attended the summit for years, Crosby's growth has not gone unnoticed. Von Miller praised his development, 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."
Crosby's journey has been anything but smooth. Last season, he played through significant injuries, including a knee injury sustained in Week 2 and a thumb injury, both necessitating surgeries in January. Despite these setbacks, Crosby managed to partake in 95% of Las Vegas' defensive snaps, a testament to his resilience. "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 remarked, highlighting the sacrifices he made to stay game-ready.
Post-surgeries, Crosby embarked on a rigorous personal recovery program beginning January 22. His relentless pursuit of excellence bore fruit as he posted career-high numbers last season, recording 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles. These stellar performances earned him the accolades of second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection for the third consecutive year.
Raiders' senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan, who has three decades of football experience, doesn't mince words when it comes to Crosby's talent. "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 asserted, underlining Crosby's impactful presence on the field.
Financially, Crosby's value to the team is well acknowledged. He received a $6 million raise in the offseason, without extending his contract, a clear indicator of the Raiders' faith in his abilities. This is on top of a four-year extension worth $95 million, with over $53 million guaranteed, which he signed in March 2022.
Off the field, the Raiders organization has seen significant changes, with four different head coaches since 2019: Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and Antonio Pierce. This period of transition has seen mixed results, with the team holding a 39-44 record and making one playoff appearance.
Amidst these changes, Crosby remains one of only two players from the Oakland Raiders era still on the roster, symbolizing a bridge between past and present. This sense of continuity is further strengthened by the appointment of Thayer Munford as the new starting right tackle, a move aimed at bolstering the team's offensive line. Antonio Pierce expressed his optimism, "Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford], and makes us a better team."
For Crosby, the path to recovery and continued dominance is far from over. "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 declared, epitomizing his unwavering dedication.
At the "Sack Summit" and beyond, Maxx Crosby's name is synonymous with tenacity and excellence. His remarkable journey, marked by overcoming injuries and consistently performing at the highest level, continues to inspire and redefine what it means to be an elite athlete in the NFL.