Even as rough as this season has been for the Las Vegas Raiders, one player who continues to be the absolute cornerstone and leader of this team is star defensive end Maxx Crosby. Throughout any drama and all the injuries the team has dealt with, Crosby continues to show up every day and set the tone for this franchise.
Quite frankly, the Raiders couldn’t ask for more of Crosby. His sack numbers may be down a little, but he still leads the NFL in tackles for loss and is sixth in QB hits. But Crosby has spoken previously about simply wanting to win, and so this season has been trying for him.
Crosby appeared on the Lets Go! Podcast on Sirius XM NFL Radio and admitted that at times this season, the Raiders star felt like he was losing his mind:
“Of course, I’m competitive as they come. I put all my time, and effort, and spirit and soul into this — into being the best version of myself,” he said. “I care about winning more than anything on the planet. So, yeah, there were points in the season where I feel like I was losing my mind. I had to really reset.”
Eight straight losses is enough to make anyone start losing it, but especially someone like Crosby, who has been so good for so long. That being said, he made it clear that he will continue being the leader and best version of himself every single day for the Raiders:
“The best version of me is not just being a great player but a great leader and being the best version of myself, bringing positivity,” he said. “Because I can sit around and be negative and be like everybody else in the world right now. … If I live in that, I’m just like everybody else and I’m not like everybody else. I feel like I’m here for a reason, and I could fall into that trap and be part of the crowd or I can be a leader. And that’s what I choose to be. It’s a choice. And of course, (the losing) sucks, but I’m going to be the best version of me every single day going forward.”
It is this mindset and commitment that has endeared Crosby to the Raiders franchise and fans. He gives absolutely everything he has to help this team win, and at some point, he will be rewarded for everything he does and means to this franchise.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby, Brock Bowers, Robert Spillane among top AFC Pro Bowl vote-getters
It is no surprise that Maxx Crosby is among the top vote-getters for AFC defensive ends, coming in at fourth in the first returns. With TJ Watt and Myles Garrett also in the running, the competition is serious. Additionally, linebacker Robert Spillane is third among inside linebackers and ranks in the top 10 in both solo and combined tackles.
On the offensive side, however, it is all about Brock Bowers as the rookie sits atop the AFC tight end list for Pro Bowl votes as well as he should. Bowers currently leads the entire NFL in receptions and is fourth in receiving yards while continually setting records seemingly every week.