Raiders defensive coordinator on why Maxx Crosby should win Defensive Player of the Year

Statistically, Maxx Crosby is having one of his best seasons as a Raider.

With one game left in the 2023 season, the 26-year-old edge rusher has a career-high 13.5 sacks already. He has also recorded 88 tackles and 21 tackles for a loss, both one less than 2022’s numbers. And nine times this year, he’s played 100% of his team’s snaps.

In his rookie season, he came in second for Defensive Player of the Year to Niners pass rusher Nick Bosa. In 2022, he again lost out to Nick Bosa, this time for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

DE Maxx Crosby (@CrosbyMaxx) has notched his second consecutive season with 85+ tackles.

He is one of only two defensive linemen since 2000 to record two seasons of 85+ tackles.

— Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) December 31, 2023

So, is 2023 his year? Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham believes so.

“I mean, he’s the most disruptive defensive player in the league, in my opinion. As much attention as he draws in the run and the pass and still being able to make plays, whether it’s tackles for loss, pressures, QB hits, sacks. And then the thing that stands out to me, and I tell him all the time, when he puts on the cape, and he does the Superman stuff in terms of the plays from the backside. I mean, whether it’s a screen, whether it’s chasing down the quarterback, whether it’s backside on the run. You know each week the focus is on him because he’s a game wrecker, and he knows that and he’s embraced that, and he’s still out there making plays.”

Crosby has one more game to solidify his chances to bring home the award.

What is the upcoming schedule for Maxx Crosby and the Raiders?

• Sunday, Jan. 7 vs Denver Broncos – 1:25 p.m.

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