Maxx Crosby Leads by Example On and Off the Field
The "Sack Summit" and Crosby's Commitment
In what has now become an annual tradition, Maxx Crosby took on a co-hosting role at the recent "Sack Summit" held at UNLV alongside NFL stalwarts Von Miller and Cameron Jordan. The event sees some of the league's best defensive linemen come together to share techniques and strategies, fortifying their skills and fostering camaraderie. “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 said. “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 participation in the summit underscores his dedication to improvement and mentorship in the NFL. His notebook from the event is filled with discussions on various strategies, a testament to his commitment to his craft. His rise in the league has indeed been meteoric, and despite playing through significant injuries last season, he reached career-high numbers with 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles.
Grit Through Adversity
Playing through injuries is nothing new for Crosby. Last season, he battled through injuries to his left knee and thumb, both of which required surgeries in January. Reflecting on the season, Crosby shared, “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’s grit is matched only by his determination to return stronger. He began his personal recovery program on January 22, demonstrating his relentless drive. As Crosby himself put it, “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 are multiple.”
Recognition and Resolve
Crosby's stellar performance did not go unnoticed. He was named second-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl selection for the third consecutive year. Rob Ryan, Raiders' senior defensive assistant, put Crosby’s impact into perspective, 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.”
This offseason, Crosby received a $6 million raise, a reward for his significant contributions to the team without extending his contract. This follows the lucrative four-year extension he signed in March 2022, worth $95 million, with over $53 million guaranteed.
Endurance and Future Aspirations
The Raiders have had four coaches since 2019, with Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and now Antonio Pierce at the helm. Through these transitions, Crosby has remained a constant force, one of only two Raiders still on the roster from their Oakland days. His endurance is a source of inspiration for his teammates, and his relentless work ethic sets him apart. “You talk about fight camps [lasting] maybe three months, four months; I do it 365 [days],” Crosby said. “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.”
As the Raiders push forward with new starting right tackle Thayer Munford, coach Antonio Pierce is optimistic about the future. “Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford], and makes us a better team,” he said, pointing to the promising developments within the squad.
Crosby’s recovery journey may have been challenging, but he views it as a necessary step towards greater accomplishments. “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.”
In a league where resilience and adaptability are as critical as physical prowess, Maxx Crosby continues to set the bar high, proving that success is not merely about natural talent but about relentless pursuit and unwavering dedication.