The 2023 season was filled with ups and downs, but mostly downs for Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite the forgetful campaign, few key positives were established which the Vegas franchise can build upon.
Replacing Josh McDaniels’ torture with the beloved and astute character of Antonio Pierce was a start. It continued in the draft, improving in areas that let the team down last season.
More importantly, they kept hold of experienced players like Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams who many thought would leave after the 8-9 finish. Adams could still see himself at a different organization but Crosby will not budge.
The pass rusher who became the face of the franchise since his induction in 2019, remains committed to seeing the unfinished work through until the end. Crosby was on the Jim Rome Show recently. To prove how committed he is to the Raiders’ cause, the 26-year-old claimed he doesn’t believe in following LeBron James’s path.
For me, the guys who inspire me, the Kobe’s [Kobe Bryant] and Jordan’s [Michael Jordan], the guys who stayed at the same place and one in the same place… No offense to guys like LeBron and those dudes you know. I won’t give them some heat but took the easy road traveled. [And] that’s not really the way I look at it… I am gonna be a Raider for life.
Maxx Crosby told Jim Rome.
“No offense to LeBron and those dudes. I won’t give them some heat, but took the easy road traveled. That’s not the way I look at it…I’m going to be a Raider for life.” @CrosbyMaxx on loyalty to the Raiders organization. pic.twitter.com/f8ZIqGsKg1
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 7, 2024
Kirk Cousins said something similar not so long ago after moving to Atlanta. As for James perhaps the 39-year-old realized he could win more by leaving the Cavaliers (becoming 4-time NBA Champion).
Crosby thinks the Raiders can finally win something because they haven’t been AFC Champions since 2002, haven’t appeared in the Super Bowl since 2003 and one has to rewind time to 1983, the last time the Raiders lifted the Lombardi Trophy.
Maxx Crosby doesn’t see himself playing for any other team besides the Raiders
Despite being in the dumps for so long Crosby can’t view himself as just giving up on the Raiders. He doesn’t see his future in any other color besides silver and black.
Maxx Crosby (Image via IMAGO)It’s everything I represent. Me in a different color wouldn’t even look right. I am Raider to the core.
Crosby said.
“Me in a different color wouldn’t even look right. I’m a Raider to my core.” @CrosbyMaxx on what being apart of the organization means. pic.twitter.com/9VRh0IoIcG
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 7, 2024
The two-time Second Team All-Pro is famous for his tattoos which cover his entire body. It gives him the identity of a Raider which can’t be changed.
It’s what I take a lot of pride in. I am 100% myself on a daily basis. That’s what I think being a Raider is and I fully embrace it.
Crosby added.
Crosby is definitely in for the long run. He signed a four-year $95 million extension in 2022. A recent revamp in the contract saw a $6 million raise in his annual salary per ESPN.com.
