Maxx Crosby Receives Highest Form of Respect from HC Antonio Pierce at Raiders Practice

In his five NFL seasons, Maxx Crosby has become one of the most dynamic players in the league, and The Athletic‘s Vic Tafur explained this week how the Raiders’ coaching staff has extended to Crosby one of the highest forms of respect in recent practices.

According to Tafur, head coach Antonio Pierce has been holding Crosby out at times because the All-Pro defensive end “ruined” several practices for the offense at training camp.

“Maxx Crosby chased both quarterbacks around as usual [at Wednesday’s practice],” Tafur reported on Thursday. “Pierce now holds him out of some plays after the defensive end ruined several practices in Costa Mesa, Calif., and didn’t let the offense get some needed work in.”

For what it’s worth, Tafur wasn’t passing along any secrets. Pierce essentially shared the same message after Wednesday’s practice.

“There are certain plays we want to see, and sometimes you’ve got to pull him off on those plays to get the look for the offense,” Pierce told members of the media about Crosby. “I mean, he is that type of player now in his career where when he makes up his mind [and] he is unblockable. I think he understands that, and we understand that.”

With 14.5 sacks last year, Crosby was a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, but what doesn’t get talked about as much is the fact that he played the 2023 season with injuries that would have ended the season for most players.

Crosby turns 27 at the end of August and looks to be in the best physical conditioning of his career. He is at full strength and based on reports from training camp, 20+ sacks for ‘The Condor’ might be well within reach.

x: @raidersbeat