Raiders' DE Crosby on Team's Disappointing Season

The Las Vegas Raiders did not have the season anyone expected them to after a surprise run to the playoffs in 2021.

After acquiring star wide receiver Davante Adams and pairing him with the likes of his college quarterback Derek Carr and other great pass catchers such as Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller, many expected the Raiders to compete for the AFC West title and be contenders in the conference.

However, they fell well short of those expectations in 2022, finishing with a 6-11 record and losing their final three games of the season. The tumultuous year also resulted in the benching of Carr, who is on his way out of Las Vegas.

Despite the disappointing record, one of the bright spots on the team was defensive end Maxx Crosby, who was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl after posting career highs in multiple statistical categories.

Crosby spoke about the Raiders' season with “Pro Bowl Live” on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

“It’s hard to put into one word, it's like, bittersweet in a way,” Crosby said. “There were so many ups and downs. The toughest part about it is being so close so many times, that’s what hurts. It’s different when you’re just getting whooped, I’ve been there too.

“We had a tough season. We were losing all these close games. I feel like I’m playing my best ball, but it’s also I’m getting heat all the time if I’m not getting three sacks a game, so it’s bittersweet in a way, because I know I’m improving, but we’re also losing.”

The Raiders had a 4-9 record in one-score games this season, including crushing losses in week two against the Arizona Cardinals when they held a 20-0 lead, week nine against the Jacksonville Jaguars when they held a 20-7 lead, and in week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams when they held a 16-3 lead in the fourth quarter.

Crosby mentioned that he felt himself improving all season, but the Raiders were still losing games heartbreakingly. He also said he would use 2022 as a year of growth and learning, and wants to develop into a better leader in 2023.

The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. During that time, starting at 12 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m EST on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EST on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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