Maxx Crosby has carried the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense on his back yet again in 2022. He was named to the NFL Pro Bowl for his efforts, marking the second year in a row that he has received the honor.
Let’s face it: for most of the season, Crosby was one of the few highlights in the team’s defensive group. Sure, there were other standouts early on. Before he succumbed to a hand injury, Nate Hobbs was in the conversation, but Crosby was always the glue. It was a similar tune in 2021 as well. When the Raiders’ new brain trust arrived, they made sure to secure Crosby’s services for the long haul. In return, Crosby has rewarded them with a monstrous effort this year.
The Raiders have a special player in Maxx Crosby
With regard to the league’s special merit, Crosby spoke about what the Pro Bowl means to him and, more importantly, how it makes him feel.
“I’m a big kid at the end of the day, and when you’re a kid and you see the guys in the Pro Bowl, that’s what you think about: being in that game. [Even after] getting voted into the Pro Bowl, I still feel like a kid. It’s unbelievable.”
As Crosby alludes to in this quote via Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the Pro Bowl still means a lot to him. Furthermore, it just goes to show how beloved No. 98 is among Raider Nation. His efforts have obviously not gone unnoticed. With 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 19 tackles for a loss under his belt, he’s also garnered attention for other honors. Chief among those honors is Defensive Player of the Year. With impressive Pro Football Focus grades (84.7 in run defense and 83.5 in pass rush) going into Saturday’s pivotal game, Crosby will once again need to be the catalyst. Luckily for him, his teammates have come on strong lately, chiefly Chandler Jones. Let’s see what kind of gift Crosby will give Raider Nation on Christmas Eve.
*Top Photo: David Zalubowski/Associated Press