No one on the Raiders came on stronger last season that Maxx Crosby. The fourth round rookie didn’t begin the season as a starter and by week four he exploded, putting up ten sacks over the final 12 games. There was one thing he did not accomplish, however; sacking Patrick Mahomes.
Crosby was never able to bring down the former league MVP and now Super Bowl winning QB in 91 snaps over two games. Crosby vows that will change and has a message for Mahomes.
“Just know I’m coming, no doubt,” Crosby said in an interview with The Lefkoe Show.
“I was close as few times. It pissed me off pretty much. Every second after that game was over, a couple times I was just mad. . . He’s a different type of player too. He’s one of those guys. He just backpedals, he’ll throw the ball from weird angles, it’s not like sacking a regular quarterback. Yeah, I’m definitely looking forward to sacking him. It needs to happen. It’s definitely going to happen.”
These may be big words, but Crosby isn’t just making noise. This offseason, he was able to get his downtime out of the way prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns, so he’s been able to focus on training during this time.
Crosby has been out in Los Angeles adding muscle mass to his frame. He says he’s at 270 pounds, 15 pounds up from the weight he came in as a rookie. He also has the experience of starting ten games last season and the extra expectations that come along with it.
“I’m coming in as the starter and now guys look at me, they have respect for me, I’m not the rookie getting bullied every day,” Crosby said. “You’re more comfortable and you just go in there with more confidence. I’m just ready for it.”
“They’re going to see a new and improved version of myself, 16 games, at least, hopefully the playoffs, I’m going to be getting after it every game.”
