The snub of Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby during the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award voting process is not only an insult to him but a clear indication of the national media’s failure to acknowledge one of the most dominant players in the NFL.
Despite his stellar season, Crosby’s contributions were shockingly overlooked as the fifth-year player failed to receive a single first place vote for DPOY revealing a gap between performance and recognition.
Crosby’s 2023 season was a case study that showcased his work ethic, versatility and impact on the field. Being recognized with All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection solidified his status as one of NFL’s best defensive players after a staggeringly dominant season. He racked up 14.5 sacks, led the NFL with 58 stops, his durability was unparalleled as he played in 95% of the Las Vegas Raiders defensive snaps and took part in 1081 snaps—both tops in the league.
Maxx Crosby snub shows performance and numbers don’t matter
Maxx Crosby’s ability to consistently disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage was evident with his league-leading 23 tackles for loss (TFLs), ranked second in the NFL with 90 tackles, and notched 94 pressures showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
Despite these achievements — which clearly place Maxx Crosby among the top defensive players in the league — not one voter felt he was the best player on defense in the NFL? It’s puzzling that although he was on the ballot for DPOY voting, voters completely ignored his dominant season and disrespected him by not even considering him for the award. This raises questions about biases or flaws within the voting process where defensive players may be undervalued or overlooked if they don’t play for a playoff-bound team or for other suspect reasons.
This omission is more than a mistake as it reflects an issue within sports media and award voting systems that often prioritize storytelling over deeper analysis. What’s disappointing is Crosby’s story on the field, and his off-the-field life journey from alcoholism to one of the league’s top players, should be front and center. Instead, Maxx Crosby being excluded serves as a reminder of the bias that exists, which tends to sideline players who may not fit into the narratives of award winners.
Let me say this to be clear: this is not in any way an indictment on award winner Myles Garrett, who deserved recognition. As did Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end T.J Watt, who took exception on X.com to address what he felt was his own snub.
But if Watt thinks he was snubbed, what about the guy who had equal or even better numbers than he did in several categories? Yeah, Crosby was that guy.
The insult delivered at the NFL Honors by fellow scribes and media types will undoubtedly ignite a fire within Maxx Crosby. Not that he needed one. But athletes of his caliber often use oversights, snubs and a lack of respect for their performance as motivation to strive for even greater success. Crosby is likely to become an even more formidable competitor in the upcoming season. The league should take note: a motivated Crosby, carrying a chip on his shoulder, could make him the most dangerous defender in the NFL next season.
The overlooking of Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby for DPOY isn’t just a misstep—it’s a glaring error that calls into question the integrity of the award and its judges. Crosby’s standout 2023 season deserved top recognition, highlighting a systemic issue in evaluating defensive performances among the NFL media. This snub could become a defining moment in Crosby’s career and the anticipation of how he responds in 2024 is palpable. Having watched Crosby his entire career, I know that when talent meets motivation, expect fireworks.