Without a doubt, the leader and standard-bearer for the Las Vegas Raiders is defensive end Maxx Crosby. The star lineman is a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2023.
The Raiders have had their share of defensive stars throughout the years, and one of the best is Howie Long. Long spent the entirety of his Hall of Fame career with the Raiders, totaling 91.5 career sacks while making the Pro Bowl eight times and being named an All-Pro three times as well.
Game recognizes the game, and Long sees a lot of it in Crosby. Long is appearing on the next episode of The Rush podcast with Maxx Crosby and in a preview of the episode, Long called Crosby the most disruptive lineman in all of football:
HOWIE LONG EPISODE DROPS AT 12pm PST 🦅 pic.twitter.com/fZML2Y4nH9
— The Rush Podcast (@TheRushWithMaxx) June 25, 2024
It is hard to argue with Long’s assessment of Crosby. Last year, Crosby finished with career-highs in sacks (14.5), tackles (90) and tackles for loss (23), the latter of which led the entire NFL. Additionally, Crosby’s 90 tackles were the most among all players with double-digit sacks and his 31 QB hits ranked seventh in the league as well.
Considering the lack of help Crosby has had across the line, the fact that he ranks so highly in so many categories is truly impressive. He is getting the deserved recognition from his peers as well as the all-time greats like Long and is already etching his name amongst some Raiders legends.
Crosby is on his way to being one of the best Raiders defenders in franchise history, and Howie Long is already recognizing his impact. The star is not only one of the best defensive linemen but also one of the best defenders in the NFL today, and the world is finally seeing it.
New Raiders DT Christian Wilkins calls Maxx Crosby the ‘real deal’
The first move the Raiders made in free agency was to get Maxx Crosby some help along the line in signing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. And the Raiders’ new lineman is already a believer in his teammate.
Wilkins called Crosby the ‘real deal’ and said he sees why he has been so successful in the NFL so far. He added that seeing Crosby up close and personal every day has given him a different perspective. The Raiders star challenges him mentally and keeps him motivated.
