Maxx Crosby: The Evolution of an Elite Pass Rusher
Maxx Crosby's journey from a promising talent to one of the NFL's premier defensive players reached a symbolic milestone recently. Co-hosting the "Sack Summit" at UNLV alongside contemporaries Von Miller and Cameron Jordan, Crosby's development and commitment to his craft were in full display.
"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 remarked. "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."
With a notebook brimming with strategies and techniques from the summit, Crosby's preparation is unparalleled. Despite enduring injuries to his left knee and thumb last season—both necessitating surgeries in January—Crosby's performance never wavered. After injuring his knee in Week 2, Crosby still participated in an astounding 95% of Las Vegas' defensive snaps.
"I was damn near limited every single day, the whole season in practice," Crosby admitted. "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."
Evidently, Crosby's dedication and resilience have paid off. Posting career-high numbers with 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles last season, Crosby emerged as a pivotal figure in the Raiders' defense. His standout performance earned him a place as a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection for the third consecutive year.
Rob Ryan, the Raiders' senior defensive assistant who has witnessed the evolution of many players in his 30-year career, had high praise for Crosby. "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 unequivocally.
The offseason saw Crosby receiving a $6 million raise, cementing his status without extending his contract. In March 2022, he had already committed to the Raiders with a four-year extension worth $95 million, including over $53 million guaranteed. As one of the two remaining Raiders who played with the team in Oakland, Crosby's loyalty to the franchise is evident.
But it wasn't just about financial rewards. Crosby's offseason was also characterized by a relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth.
"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 articulated with conviction.
This tenacity was similarly reflected in his recovery program, which he began on January 22. "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.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are navigating transitions of their own. Thayer Munford has stepped into the role of the new starting right tackle, and Raiders' coach Antonio Pierce is optimistic about the impact of his development. "Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford], and makes us a better team," Pierce commented.
Since 2019, the Raiders have seen considerable changes, including cycling through four head coaches: Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and now Antonio Pierce. In this period, the team's record stands at 39-44 with a single playoff appearance.
Crosby's journey, deeply intertwined with the Raiders' evolution, underscores a narrative of resilience, commitment, and excellence. "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.
As Crosby charts his course toward becoming the best in the world, his story serves as an exemplar of dedication in the realm of professional sports. His evolution from a relentless grinder to a revered Summit co-host is not just a testament to his skills but also his unyielding spirit and determination.