Las Vegas Raiders franchise defender Maxx Crosby has an optimistic view heading into the 2024 season.
Maxx Crosby spent most of 2023 injured, although most would not have guessed it. This past season, Maxx was on the field for 95.4% of the Raiders’ defensive snaps. He is rested and hopeful heading into 2024, especially considering some of the additions the Raiders made this past offseason.
Maxx Crosby Gets Healthy
Crosby is feeling good and ready to attack in 2024.
“Recovery and rehab has been incredible,” Crosby said on Monday. “I just did my conditioning tests last week and smashed it. And I’m feeling better than I ever have, so it’s been an incredible offseason so far.” (NFL.com)
Even after his injuries, Maxx posted an incredible defensive season. He set new career-high marks with 14.5 sacks, 90 tackles, and 23 tackles for loss. Maxx earned his third Pro Bowl nod and garnered a second-team All-Pro selection.
“I was definitely banged up,” said Crosby, who underwent knee and hand procedures this offseason. “My knee was an issue, but I was able to play. I definitely don’t want to do that again and go through that — draining it multiple times every week — it was a pain in the a--.”
“But we made it through, so it was even more motivation when people were like ‘shut it down, shut it down, shut it down.’ I was like, no, I’m not like everybody else, to be completely honest. I just had to keep moving.”
Raiders hope Maxx’s new teammate can help those numbers grow even more.
Las Vegas Raiders New Addition
The Raiders made a big splash this offseason by signing one of the biggest defensive free agents available.
Christian Wilkins was signed to a four-year deal worth $110 million, with $84.75 million guaranteed by the Las Vegas Raiders, and the former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle is more than excited to play for his new NFL team in 2024.
“There’s one big reason to definitely want to come here, and that’s number 98,” Wilkins said of Crosby. “He’s obviously a heck of a player, and I got a lot of respect for who he is, how he operates, and how he plays. I’m excited to be his teammate.”
Crosby is eager to play with Wilkins but will not dive too deep into predictions. He knows winning free agency doesn’t lead to NFL wins.
“Potential is one thing, action is another,” Crosby said. “For us, it’s about the work — we have a ton of work to do. Me and Christian haven’t played a single snap together, we haven’t done a single rep together. At the end of the day, we got a ton of work to do. I’ve said it many times, Christian is a great player. I’ve been watching Christian and seeing his career from afar for a long time.
Crosby is optimistic but rightfully reserved. Besides opposing quarterbacks, the entire NFL is excited to see these two play together.
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