Injury and Triumph Define Maxx Crosby's Recent Season
Maxx Crosby, a name synonymous with resilience and performance in the NFL, recently co-hosted the celebrated "Sack Summit" at UNLV alongside defensive stars Von Miller and Cameron Jordan. The event, which draws defensive linemen to exchange techniques and strategies, highlighted Crosby's commitment to the game. According to Miller, Crosby's growth and development into one of the best pass rushers in the league made him a natural fit to help ensure the longevity of the summit. Miller remarked, "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."
Amid his professional achievements, Crosby's recent season was a testament to his tenacity. Playing through injuries that would sideline most athletes, he endured significant surgical repairs to his left knee and thumb in January. Reflecting on the challenging season, Crosby admitted, "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 suffered the knee injury in Week 2 yet managed to participate in an astounding 95% of Las Vegas' defensive snaps throughout the season. His personal recovery journey began immediately after his surgeries, starting his regimen on January 22. This determined attitude bore fruit, as Crosby posted career-high figures with 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles, earning 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 over three decades of football experience, extolled Crosby's prowess, stating, "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."
The commitment to excellence is a hallmark of Crosby's career. His work ethic, encapsulated in his quote, "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," underscores his relentless pursuit of greatness.
Beyond personal accolades and recovery, the offseason brought financial recognition. Crosby received a $6 million raise without extending his contract. This, coupled with the four-year, $95 million contract extension signed in March 2022, including over $53 million guaranteed, secures his future with the Raiders. His importance to the team is further magnified considering he is one of only two players still on the roster who played with the Raiders during their Oakland days.
The Raiders, under flux in recent years with four different coaches since 2019, including Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and Antonio Pierce, have had a 39-44 record with one playoff appearance. Despite these changes, Crosby remains a cornerstone of the team's defensive strategy. The recent appointment of Thayer Munford as the new starting right tackle signifies another phase of development. Coach Antonio Pierce expressed optimism about this change, saying, "Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford], and makes us a better team."
Crosby's narrative is one of overcoming adversity and setting the bar high. His dedication to football, matched with an unwavering focus on improvement, is vividly evident. As Crosby said, "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 journey ahead for Maxx Crosby promises to be as compelling as the seasons that have defined his career so far.