Las Vegas Raiders standout defensive end Maxx Crosby not only showcases exceptional skills on the field but also emerges as a genuine leader within the team. His commitment to guiding and supporting his younger teammates is particularly evident, with rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell standing out as a primary beneficiary of Crosby’s mentorship.
Throughout the season, Crosby has consistently lauded O’Connell, recognizing the rookie’s potential and entrusting him with a significant role for the remainder of the games. However, as is expected with a rookie quarterback, there have been moments of challenge and learning curves. This was notably evident in a recent game against the Miami Dolphins, where O’Connell grappled with adversity, throwing three interceptions, including a crucial late-game pick to Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Unfortunately, this contributed to the Raiders’ 20-13 defeat.
In the aftermath of the loss, it would be natural for a young quarterback to shoulder the blame for such a close-margin defeat. Yet, Crosby chose a different approach. Instead of allowing O’Connell to dwell on potential self-criticism, Crosby reaffirmed his unwavering faith in the rookie quarterback. According to insights shared by Brayden P. Reedy of Sports Illustrated, Crosby conveyed a supportive message to O’Connell, likely emphasizing the importance of resilience and growth in the face of setbacks.
Crosby’s leadership extends beyond the field, encompassing a mentorship role that acknowledges the challenges inherent in a rookie quarterback’s journey. By maintaining confidence in O’Connell even during challenging moments, Crosby exemplifies the essence of a true leader, fostering a positive environment for development within the Raiders’ team dynamics.
“I just told him: ‘What happened in the past doesn’t matter. What happens in the future doesn’t matter. Just be you. Be you right here, right now. Flush everything and just go out there.’ I was like: ‘We believe in you,’ and that’s the truth. Aidan (O’Connell), he’s a young quarterback. It’s his fourth start. We believe in him fully. He made a lot of really good plays.
“There are probably some plays that he wants back. I know he’s super critical, and that’s what you want, guys that are always wanting more. We believe in him 1,000 percent. That just kind of my message to him, it was just like: ‘We believe in you. Just go out there and be you.’ So he moved the ball down the field. They just — Jalen (Ramsey) just ended up making a great play. We love the guys we’ve got in this locker room.”
A short memory is one of the most important characteristics of a good quarterback. Everyone will make mistakes, but the key is not to get too down about them and allow them to affect your next throws going forward.
O’Connell has been praised for his poise, and the fact that superstars like Crosby and Davante Adams have expressed so much faith and belief in him surely helps with his confidence. The next time the Raiders are in that position, the entire team will continue to have faith that O’Connell will come through.
