Maxx Crosby heard some praise from Raiders legend Howie Long
Maxx Crosby has already begun to etch his name into Raiders Loire with a great start to his career over the past five years. The former Eastern Michigan University standout has gotten better in each of his seasons in the NFL so far.
But it’s not just the 52 career sacks or 9 forced fumbles that make him special. It’s also his ability to become a leader on and off the field that is drawing praise from a Raiders’ legend as well.
Howie Long joined Crosby on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Rush,” and the Pro Football Hall of Famer had some big compliments for Crosby via Raiders Today:
“You’ve taken some of the young guys under your shoulder, and I think that’s a really good thing,” Long said to Crosby. “I think that was always a part of the organization at that time, whether it was Art Shell, or Gene Upshaw, or Lyle Alzado, or Ted Hendricks. Great, great players who had a great history there, had won Super Bowls, and kind of give you guidance, as this is what it takes to be, what it takes to practice, what it takes to play, this is what it means to be a Raider, and the culture.”
He also praised Crosby for rejuvenating the Raiders’ culture after it was lacking a bit:
“I know you talk a lot about culture,” Howie Long said. “The culture was an important thing, and you come in and — I don’t want to say it was void of that, but it had to be kind of recreated. History is a great thing, and I know you appreciate history and the players that have come before you, but I think you kind of establishing a new kind of culture and making your own history is exciting for all of us to watch.”
That’s some high praise from one of the best to not only suit up in a Raiders’ jersey but to play in the NFL, and Crosby appreciated the kind words as well.
Maxx Crosby should be a Raider for life
As Crosby has developed into one of the best pass rushers in all of football, he’s a core piece for the franchise to build around. Despite trade rumors in the past and some talk that the team could be a seller and take calls on Crosby, this is a marriage that should last as long as he is playing in the NFL.
Crosby is just too good on the field and has built up a great reputation off the field to move on from, no matter how good the trade package would be. Trading a player like Crosby would send a bad message to the locker room as well as the future of the team.
The Raiders did give Crosby some reassurance as well. In May, they gave him a $6M raise for the upcoming season without adding years to his contract. They also moved $1.2 million from his 2026 salary to 2025, giving him some more money earlier in his deal.
Since his 2022 contract extension, Crosby has racked up 27 sacks and has finished in the top six of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting. He was also a Second Team All-Pro for the 2023 season. The production is there and you can certainly say that Crosby has earned the right to be a Raider for life.
But those trade calls will come if the Raiders get off to a slow start this season. And the best way to cure that is to win ball games.
