Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby openly expressed admiration for Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett following Garrett’s second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award on February 5. Crosby, known for his relentless pressure on quarterbacks, acknowledged Garrett’s dominance after he set a new NFL single-season record with 23 sacks during the recent campaign.
Garrett accepted the prestigious honor at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco, marking a memorable capstone to his historic season. Speaking on CBS Sports HQ the following day, Crosby highlighted the competitive yet supportive dynamic they share, viewing Garrett as both a rival and a source of motivation.
Myles has been in the league a little bit longer and has created a resume that is unbelievable. Second Defensive Player of the Year, got over 100 sacks — those are all things that I aspire to do and plan on doing. He pushes me to be better, and I think he would say the same.
?Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders Defensive End
Clearing the Air on Trade Rumors Surrounding Maxx Crosby
Amid swirling trade rumors, Crosby addressed the speculation during a February 6 segment on The Herd with host Colin Cowherd. He expressed frustration over the narratives crafted without his input but emphasized his preference to remain focused on football rather than public commentary about his career moves.
Crosby pointed out the challenges of managing outside noise, especially after learning from past experiences that being overly vocal about team and coaching preferences can backfire. Instead, he chooses to maintain silence and let results speak for themselves.
But you can’t control everything. I’ve learned that. Now that I’m quiet, now I’ve got random people making big statements for me. They’re like, ‘Oh, Maxx must have told them this.’ For me, I just sit back and laugh, because I know my truth. When I go to bed at night, I have a smile on my face because I don’t have to explain nothing to nobody.
?Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders Defensive End
Ashton Jeanty Expresses Desire for Crosby to Stay with Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty voiced a strong opinion against losing Crosby to a trade, describing him as the “heart of the defense.” Jeanty stressed the critical role Crosby has played in the team’s success through consistent impact plays and leadership.
Reflecting on Crosby’s influence since Jeanty’s rookie season, the young running back praised Crosby’s mentorship and energy, revealing that Crosby was among the first to reach out and encourage him upon being drafted.
He’s the heart of the defense, so obviously making plays for us time after time,
Jeanty said during an appearance on Up & Adams.
We would definitely, in my opinion, lose a lot if he were gone. He can’t go. He’s got to stay.
No, I couldn’t [imagine Crosby leaving the Raiders],
Jeanty added. “He’s just a special player, man, and I think he’s a special person, too. The energy and the mindset that he brings — he was one of the first people to text me when I got drafted.
I’ll never forget what he told me. He said, ‘Don’t wait to lead.’ That resonated with me because as a leader, you think you’ve got to be a certain age or you’ve got to be a certain type of player, but it doesn’t matter who you are.
?Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders Running Back
Competitive Spirit Drives Crosby’s Pursuit of Greatness
Maxx Crosby’s respect for Myles Garrett goes beyond admiration; it fuels his own goals to reach the highest levels of achievement in the NFL. By measuring himself against Garrett’s accomplishments, Crosby is motivated to elevate his performance and aspire toward accolades like multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards and 100-plus career sacks.
The intense competition between these two premier pass rushers highlights an ongoing rivalry that simultaneously pushes them to excel. This dynamic contributes not only to their individual careers but also to the broader landscape of NFL defenses competing for dominance.
Looking Ahead: The Impact on Raiders and NFL Defenses
The mutual respect and competitive drive between Crosby and Garrett inject energy into their respective teams and the league’s defensive play. While trade rumors create uncertainty around Crosby’s future with the Raiders, the backing from teammates like Ashton Jeanty underscores his importance to the team’s identity.
As Crosby continues to chase greatness alongside Garrett’s towering legacy, the Raiders’ front office will likely face pressure to retain him amid the ongoing speculation. The coming months will reveal whether Crosby remains a cornerstone of the Las Vegas defense or moves on, but his pursuit of defensive supremacy promises to keep fans and analysts alike closely watching.
"I try not to address certain things because no matter what someone is going to pick it apart… I'll let people do their talking, all I'm about is my actions."@colincowherd talks with @Raiders DE @CrosbyMaxx about where he stands with the organization pic.twitter.com/OHF0JnMMDj
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 6, 2026
https://twitter.com/UpAndAdamsShow/status/2019472291797618870
