Maxx Crosby has ‘a ton of respect’ for Nick Bosa, 49ers organization

Maxx Crosby and Nick Bosa, two guys drafted rounds apart in the 2019 NFL Draft, are having standout years.

The Raiders‘ defensive end has notched more solo tackles so far this season, 53 to 39, but Bosa leads the league in sacks with 17.5 to Crosby’s 11.5. When looking at their two careers so far, Crosby has a slight lead in tackles because he’s played more games than Bosa. The 49ers defensive end missed most of the 2020 season after tearing his ACL.

And for the first time in their careers, they face off against one another. Well, not technically since they’re both on the defensive side, but you get the idea.

Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the 49ers, called Crosby’s play this year “the second-best defense player in the league.” Clearly, he meant that as a compliment with Bosa on the 49ers.

“I think he’s been unbelievable, so they got some guys who can wreck games and you better be on your stuff regardless,” Shanahan said.

Crosby was asked about those comments after practice Thursday, saying he knows Shanahan has to defend his guy.

“Coach Shanahan is a great coach, great dude. I met him in the combine process, I met with him and the Niners whole staff, so I got a ton of respect for them, and just putting me in that conversation is special,” Crosby said.

Players with 15+ TFL and 10+ sacks this season..

• Maxx Crosby
• Nick Bosa
• Brian Burns
• Za’Darius Smith
• Myles Garrett
• Josh Sweat

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 29, 2022

When asked about being on the same field as Bosa and if he sees that as a challenge, Crosby talked about the made-up rivalry between the two defensive players and how much respect he has for his fellow 2019 draft classmate.

“You know, it’s funny, both fanbases always talk about, for some reason ever since my rookie year, the Niners being from the Bay and Oakland as well, so like, automatically, like people created this beef between me and Nick. People send me stuff all the time, like Niner fans coming at me saying ‘I suck,’ and I’m like, ‘Damn, I don’t know what I did to y’all, I’ve never even played against y’all.’ But yeah, they always go back and forth about me and Nick, but it’s funny. Me and Nick have been boys ever since our rookie year. We talk all the time. And he’s just been, seeing what he’s done in his career is incredible. So watching him and seeing what he does gives me inspiration because I want to be the best and he pushes me.”

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