Maxx Crosby has strong response to Michael Lombardi’s criticism
Oct 23, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) runs off the field after the Raiders defeated the Houston Texans 38-20 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Maxx Crosby did not mince words when he addressed rumors of a rift between him and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce.
Crosby missed the first game of his NFL career on Sept. 29 due to a sprained ankle as the Raiders took on the Cleveland Browns for a Week 4 matchup at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.
The three-time Pro Bowler was not at the venue for the contest and instead watched the game from home.
Former Raiders and Browns executive Mike Lombardi appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week and took issue with Crosby’s no-show. Lombardi said that he believed Crosby’s absence may have been a sign of “a disconnect” between Crosby and Pierce.
.@MLombardiNFL believes there is a "disconnect" between Antonio Pierce and the Raiders stars 😳
"I think Crosby has always been the team guy, but when he doesn't show up to a game that tells me something without knowing something." pic.twitter.com/HxxJ6s1EJ6
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 3, 2024
On Sunday, Crosby returned to the Raiders’ lineup for the team’s Week 5 contest against the Denver Broncos. He was asked about not attending the previous game. Crosby, unprompted, brought up Lombardi’s comments (profanity edited by LBS).
“I have to hear these clowns talking online and talking on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ saying something is going on,” Crosby said, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “These clowns are sitting on a couch talking about what I should be doing. When the reality is I’m gaining yardage and trying to get right so I can get back on the field.
“Come on, bro. You know where I want to be. You think I want to be anywhere else? No. I have this s–t tatted on my body. I don’t want to go anywhere.”
The Raiders have recently had to deal with all of the Davante Adams trade chatter. But just because Adams reportedly wants to leave doesn’t mean the rest of the team’s top players do too.
Crosby has spent his entire six-year NFL career with the franchise and has long expressed his full commitment to the team. His stance doesn’t seem to have changed one bit.