Maxx Crosby, the relentless pass-rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders, found himself in a familiar routine during the latter half of the last season.
He’d rest during the week to preserve his knee, gearing up for the Sunday game. Despite grappling with a knee issue, Crosby displayed his resilience by participating in all 17 games. However, he recognized the importance of prioritizing his health post-season.
Starting the Raiders’ offseason program on Monday, Crosby expressed satisfaction with his rehabilitation progress, emphasizing feeling better than ever.
An uninhibited Crosby spells trouble for NFL opponents. Even while managing his injury last season, he achieved career-best numbers with 14 1/2 sacks and 90 tackles, ranking sixth in the league for sacks.
Crosby sees himself as a warrior, fully committed to the game, declaring his readiness to give his all on the field. His dedication to improvement is widely respected within the Raiders organization, with Coach Antonio Pierce highlighting Crosby’s unparalleled work ethic on multiple occasions.
During the offseason, Crosby stays put in Las Vegas, hitting the team facilities bright and early at 6 a.m. and wrapping up by 2 p.m. Coach Pierce encouraged Crosby to lead by example, urging more teammates to stay local, and about 30 followed suit.
“AP set the bar high,” Crosby remarked. “It’s not just about me. Many are talented, but the exceptional ones lift others up. I took that to heart. When vets join, it sets the tone for the young guys.”
“I believe this team has immense potential. We’ve got the talent, but talk is cheap unless you back it up with action. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”
A combat sports enthusiast, Crosby incorporated boxing into his routine three or four times weekly this offseason. He even sparred with MMA star Dominick Cruz recently.
Attending UFC 300 on Saturday, Crosby found a kinship with Max Holloway’s fighting spirit. Despite leading on the scorecards, Holloway urged Justin Gaethje to go all-in for the final 10 seconds. In a thrilling finish, Holloway scored a knockout with just 1 second left in the five-round match.
“That was one of the most impressive things I’ve ever witnessed,” Crosby remarked. “Seeing it live, I was just like, ‘Wow,’ for a good 10 minutes. I couldn’t believe it. That’s what I admire about fighting, and Holloway embodies it perfectly: ‘I’m not just here to win; I’m here to dominate.’ He showed that tenfold on Saturday.”
Crosby understands the Raiders, who ended 8-9 last season, have a lot to prove. While he appreciates the talent on the team, he emphasizes that it’s all meaningless unless they put in the effort.
He chooses to focus on the team’s work ethic rather than past events, like the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win at Allegiant Stadium where a rival player planted their flag.
“If you’re busy worrying about others, you’re wasting energy,” Crosby commented. “Trust me, he wouldn’t dare plant a flag on our logo.”
