Last season was a disappointment for the Las Vegas Raiders, considering the expectations many had for the team. After a playoff appearance in 2022 and the addition of Davante Adams, the team had high expectations; however, the Silver and Black finished with a 6-11 record. As a result, Maxx Crosby understands the fans’ perspective of being upset due to the team not living up to the preseason hype. Nonetheless, the Raiders’ star edge rusher believes this season will differ.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is one of the newcomers that hope to be a difference maker to ensure that Vegas doesn’t have a repeat of last season. The former New England Patriots star recently spoke about his adaptation to the Raiders squad.
Maxx Crosby believes Raiders fans have the right to be upset after last season
When the Raiders pulled off the blockbuster trade that allowed the team to bring Adams to Vegas, many believed that the team was ready to challenge the Kanas City Chiefs for the AFC West.
The Vegas offense was above average, with Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, and Adams at the helm. Vegas finished 12th in points scored in 2022. However, on defense, they were one of the worst, so Crosby fully respects Raiders fans’ anger toward the team after last season.
“I love the guys that we brought in,” Maxx Crosby said on “Raiders Roundtable” Wednesday. “I love what we’re doing on the outside world. You know, everybody’s gonna have an opinion, especially when you’re not winning. They deserve to, you know, have their criticisms. I get it.
“We were 6-11 last year. It’s not good enough. It’s unacceptable and I take it extremely personal. So, yeah, the fans have a right to be upset, but I know this. I know guys are putting in work right now. We have a close team. Guys are off the field doing things together, and we’re doing the right things to put ourselves in a position to be successful.”
While Crosby recorded 12.5 sacks last season, the Vegas defense was 26th in points allowed. The Raiders can count on the 25-year-old to create havoc; it will be up to others on the defensive side to up their game to improve their performance from 2022.
Jakobi Meyers shares adaptation and connecting with teammates
Meyers will be one of the new faces on the Raiders this season. The former Patriot is attempting to be the No. 3 guy behind Adams and Hunter Renfrow. The 26-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million contract to join the Silver and Black this offseason.
Coming to a new team and adapting to a new city is never easy. Still, Meyers noted on the “Raiders Roundtable” that arriving in Vegas has been a perfect balance.
“I feel like it’s perfect, because it’s enough people that I do know and enough people that I don’t know,” Meyers said (h/t Carter Landis of SI). “I get to rekindle with old friends I haven’t seen in a minute, and then also meet a bunch of the new guys – and we’re working hard, too – at the same time, I’m getting to learn my teammates, and it’s been real cool.”
Furthermore, Jakobi Meyers echoed what Crosby said about players on the team putting in the work this offseason to ensure the Raiders have a bounce-back year in 2023.
“It’s a lot of guys who are good at their craft,” Meyers continued. “You can tell they put a lot of time in it, so I just have to go out there and put a lot of time into mine, be good at mine, and match the intensity. It’s fun, it’s competitive.”
*Top Photo: Getty Images