HENDERSON, Nev. — Maxx Crosby’s return to the field was always going to be one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. What happened before he returned made it even more significant. Crosby missed the final stretch of the 2025 season after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee. He underwent surgery and spent the offseason working his way back.
Then came an offseason unlike anything the veteran defensive end had experienced. Crosby was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Then the trade was rescinded. Crosby was back with the Raiders.
Rather than allowing the unusual circumstances to define him, Crosby has chosen to approach the situation differently. He says maturity has played a major role.
Crosby’s New Approach
Crosby returned to action Sunday against the Miami Dolphins on a controlled snap count, his first game since Dec. 21 against the Houston Texans. Even with his workload limited, the Raiders’ defensive cornerstone immediately reminded everyone why he’s one of the most disruptive pass rushers in football.
Crosby recorded 1.5 sacks in Las Vegas’ 27-13 victory, bringing his career total to 71.0 sacks. But heading into Sunday’s AFC West matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Crosby’s focus isn’t on what happened last season or even what happened during the offseason.
It’s on staying present. “I think maturity is part of it, too,” Crosby said, via The Athletic’s Sam Warren. “Everyone knows it was a crazy offseason, to say the least. I think I grew in a lot of ways.”
That growth has changed how Crosby approaches his job. The Raiders star credited longtime performance coach Tim Grover with helping him develop what he described as the ability to remain calm under pressure.
“And something he helped me the most with is, especially these last couple of years, just like mastering the art of being calm,” Crosby said. That might be one of the most important developments in Crosby’s career.
The Next Test Comes Against the Chargers
The Raiders’ Week 1 victory provided an encouraging opening statement. Week 2 will tell them considerably more. The Chargers are a divisional opponent, and Los Angeles will have an opportunity to attack a Raiders defense that is still finding its footing under a new coaching staff.
That’s where Crosby becomes particularly important. Even if his workload continues to be managed. His ability to affect the quarterback can change the entire defensive game plan.
He already showed that against Miami. Now the Raiders will see what happens when they give him another week of recovery and another opportunity to build his workload. Crosby isn’t talking about proving anyone wrong.
He’s not focused on the knee surgery. He’s not looking beyond Sunday’s game, he’s talking about being calm, trusting his teammates and stacking days.
For a player who has experienced one of the strangest offseason imaginable, that might be the clearest sign yet that Maxx Crosby has entered a different stage of his career. The chaos is behind him. Now he’s focused on football.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
