Maxx Crosby's Unyielding Dedication Shines at "Sack Summit"
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The annual "Sack Summit" at UNLV is not just any ordinary offseason gathering. It's where the best defensive linemen in the NFL converge to share techniques, strategies, and a mutual love for the game. This year, Maxx Crosby joined Von Miller and Cameron Jordan as co-hosts, marking a significant milestone in his career. Von Miller, one of the league's most respected pass rushers, praised Crosby’s dedication, stating, "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."
Throughout the previous season, Crosby's performance on the field was nothing short of extraordinary, despite dealing with significant injuries. He played through painful conditions in his left knee and thumb, both of which required surgeries in January. Reflecting on his challenging season, Crosby said, "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." His resilience was evident as he participated in 95% of Las Vegas' defensive snaps after injuring his knee in Week 2.
These adjustments didn't hinder Crosby's performance. He posted career-high numbers with 14.5 sacks and 90 tackles. His remarkable efforts earned him a second-team All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl nod for the third consecutive year. Raiders' senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan, with 30 years of football experience, lauded Crosby, saying, "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."
As Crosby continues his path toward greatness, he emphasizes consistency in his training regime. "You talk about fight camps [lasting] maybe three months, four months; I do it 365 [days]," Crosby explained. "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." This relentless work ethic is mirrored in his recovery program, commenced on January 22, as he aims to take his game to unparalleled heights.
Beyond individual accomplishments, Crosby has remained a cornerstone for the Raiders, one of only two players still on the roster who played with the team in Oakland. Since 2019, the Raiders have seen four coaching changes—Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and currently Antonio Pierce. Over this period, the team has a 39-44 record with one playoff appearance. Recognizing Crosby's value, the Raiders awarded him a $6 million raise in the offseason, without extending his contract. This is in addition to the four-year extension worth $95 million, with over $53 million guaranteed, signed in March 2022.
Raiders’ head coach Antonio Pierce commented on the team’s strategic moves, especially with the introduction of new starting right tackle Thayer Munford. "Hopefully that speeds up the development and growth with [Munford] and makes us a better team," Pierce noted. His sentiments reflect a holistic approach to team improvement, which is crucial for the Raiders’ aspirations.
Crosby's mindset is all about forward momentum. Reflecting on his offseason, Crosby remarked, "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." For Crosby, the journey is as significant as the destination, and his relentless pursuit embodies the spirit of a true champion.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Maxx Crosby, a player whose tenacity, skill, and passion continue to set him apart as one of the NFL's premier defensive talents.