Raiders Veteran DT Jenkins Reflects on 2023, Career

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins had an impressive season in 2023.

Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby is well-known as one of the best players in the NFL, but he’s also known as a world-class teammate. 

If a Raiders player makes a big play, Crosby is the first teammate to congratulate them. He is well-liked among his defensive line cohorts.

So much so that four of them joined Crosby on his podcast, "The Rush with Maxx Crosby. " Malcolm Koonce, John Jenkins, Adam Butler, and Tyree Wilson made their debuts on their All-Pro teammate’s weekly show. 

Jenkins, an 11-year veteran who just re-signed with the team, was the first guest to chat with Crosby and his co-hosts. He spoke about how he was able to play so well in 2023, crediting the culture the team was able to cultivate.

“When you spend a lot of years in the league, football becomes easy,” Jenkins said. “X’s and O’s are easy. It’s more on the ‘want-to’ and having a culture that allows you to be you. This year was a great year for me, personally, because of the fact that the culture that I was a part of, it made it so much easier for me to just give it my all and be great.”

Crosby recalled to Jenkins that he told him he would have a career season in 2023, which he did. Jenkins posted career-bests in tackles, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits. Crosby asked Jenkins what led to him having the best year of his long career. 

“I took a big mental approach,” he answered. “A different approach mentally. What that was is, I gave more of my focus into the team. I gave more focus into me being a player and understanding my role. I saw how you were going down, how you were handling business, and I knew how everybody else was handling business. It was different for me from a mental standpoint. I didn’t let any outside noise interfere with me trying to do my job if that makes sense.”

Jenkins is back with the Raiders for another season. He will provide significant depth again for a Raiders defensive line that was excellent against the run in 2023. Crosby, Jenkins, and the entire Raiders defense hope to level up in 2024. 

Click here to watch the entire podcast episode with Crosby and his defensive line teammates.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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