Maxx Crosby Shines at Sack Summit, Overcomes Injuries to Deliver Stellar Season
Maxx Crosby has once again proven his mettle on and off the field. The dynamic defensive end recently co-hosted the "Sack Summit" at UNLV, an event designed to bring together defensive linemen to share strategies and techniques. Partnering with icons like Von Miller and Cameron Jordan, Crosby immersed himself in the summit’s extensive discussions, filling his notebook with critical insights to elevate his game.
Von Miller, a veteran presence at the summit, highlighted Crosby's evolution. "Maxx had been coming here for years, and to see his growth and 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," Miller said. With Miller acknowledging the potential twilight of his own career, he sees Crosby as the torchbearer for future summits. "I don't know how many years I got left, but Maxx, he's going to play another 10," he added.
Crosby’s dedication is unquestionable, especially considering the adversity he faced last season. Playing through injuries to his left knee and thumb, Crosby still participated in an incredible 95% of Las Vegas' defensive snaps, often limited in practice to preserve his game-day performance. "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," said Crosby.
The price of perseverance was evident: both injuries necessitated surgeries in January. Reflecting on the challenging path to recovery, Crosby noted, "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." His dedication drove him to start his personal recovery program as early as Jan. 22.
Despite these impediments, Crosby delivered career-high numbers, posting 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles. His elite performance did not go unrecognized; he earned second-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection for the third consecutive year. Such acknowledgment places him in the upper echelons of defensive talent, a status highlighted by Raiders’ senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan. "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.
Crosby's resilience and consistent performance have become a cornerstone for a Raiders team that has seen its share of instability. The Raiders, hampered by four coaching changes since 2019 and enduring a 39-44 record with just one playoff appearance, have continually turned to Crosby as a beacon of constancy. His efforts on and off the field have been rewarded handsomely; 2022 saw Crosby secure a four-year extension worth $95 million, with over $53 million guaranteed. This offseason, he also received a $6 million raise without needing to extend his contract further.
As the Raiders look to stabilize and build a more formidable unit, key organizational changes have been made, including the promotion of Thayer Munford to starting right tackle. New coach Antonio Pierce is optimistic about Munford's impact. "Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford], and makes us a better team," stated Pierce.
For Crosby, the offseason was about rejuvenation and preparation, symbolic of his relentless drive to excel. "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 asserted.
Crosby’s philosophy of relentless improvement is also reflected in his approach to 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," he mentioned.
As a vital cog of the Raiders' defense and a paragon of professionalism, Crosby continues to set the bar high, both for himself and his teammates. His journey, though marked by challenges, stands as a testimony to his unyielding spirit and commitment to excellence.