After five seasons in the NFL, Las Vegas Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby is very much on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Crosby got off to a very strong start to his career over his first two seasons, but the 26-year-old has really come on strong in the last three, tallying 35 of his 52 sacks and earning three Pro Bowl nods and a pair of second-team All-Pros in that span.
Of course, Crosby is an immensely talented player, but that's not all that goes into greatness. The former fourth-round pick also has a sensational work ethic, something associate head coach Marvin Lewis pointed out on Wednesday.
Prior to the Raiders' latest session of OTAs, Lewis compared Crosby's work ethic to that of several of the legendary players he has been around, a list that included Bruce Smith, Darrell Green, Champ Bailey, Shannon Sharpe, Ray Lewis and J.J. Watt.
"I see a driven player," Lewis said before listing off the who's who of names he's been around. "You see guys that become at the pinnacle... of their game and how they go about their business each and every day.
"You can set your watch by Maxx Crosby now. Somebody said it would be easy to assassinate him because you know where he's going to be at all times," Lewis added with a laugh. "He's phenomenal."
"I've been watching how these guys who have become Hall of Fame players how they go about their day, each and every day, and Maxx has those qualities," he concluded.
“I had the chance to be around Bruce Smith & Darrell Green…Champ Bailey…Shannon Sharpe…was fortunate enough to draft Ray Lewis..hall of fame players…and Maxx has those qualities.”
— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) May 29, 2024
Raiders assistant head coach, Marvin Lewis, compares Maxx Crosby to legendary former players… pic.twitter.com/KgOQiADaFn
On top of his success on the field, Crosby has been a leader in the locker room and someone younger Raiders fans can idolize. I don't think this franchise could have asked for any more than what he has given it.
Crosby will look to build on his career-best year this coming season, and he might be able to make a huge leap up the franchise sacks list, as he needs 10 to tie him for third in team history.