Maxx Crosby's Full-Throttle Commitment Shines at Sack Summit
The recent "Sack Summit" held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, brought together some of the finest defensive linemen in the NFL, with Maxx Crosby playing a pivotal role as a co-host alongside Von Miller and Cameron Jordan. The summit is a collaborative event where players share advanced techniques and strategies, and Crosby’s enthusiastic participation underscores his relentless pursuit of excellence.
According to Von Miller, the decision to have Crosby co-host was an easy one. "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. I don't know how many years I got left, but Maxx, he's going to play another 10."
Injuries tested Crosby's mettle last season, with surgeries required for his left knee and thumb. He played through considerable pain, managing to take part in an astounding 95% of the Las Vegas Raiders' defensive snaps. "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 explained.
Despite these challenges, Crosby had his best season yet, posting career-high numbers with 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles. His performance earned him a spot on the second-team All-Pro and his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Raiders' senior defensive assistant, Rob Ryan, who has been in football for 30 years, 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."
Crosby's determination extends beyond the field. From his recovery program that began on January 22, Crosby's commitment to his craft has been nothing short of extraordinary. He described his approach: "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 relentless drive to improve is evident in how he approaches each day, likening his preparation to a fighter in training camp. "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."
The Raiders, as a franchise, have undergone several transformations, with four different head coaches since 2019 and a record of 39-44 in that span. Crosby, one of only two players left from the Oakland era, has been a constant through these changes. His contributions have been recognized contractually as well, receiving a $6 million raise this offseason without even needing to extend his contract. It's a testament to his value to the team as well as his importance on the field.
Shifting gears, the Raiders are banking on the development of Thayer Munford, the new starting right tackle. Head coach Antonio Pierce expressed optimism about Munford's potential role in the team's performance. "Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford]," Pierce said, "and makes us a better team."
Crosby’s off-season dedication serves as a blueprint for resilience and peak performance. "It made me take a step back so I could take three steps forward, and I feel like that's what this off-season 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." With underlined determination and a proven track record, Maxx Crosby is setting the standard not just for himself but for everyone within the Raiders' organization.