Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby revealed during the offseason that he and center Jackson Powers-Johnson didn't have the best relationship last year.
However, there has been a massive shift in that, with Crosby admitting that things are now much better between the two.
Crosby also believes that JPJ is set to take a big step forward in his career after a promising rookie campaign that saw him play both guard and center.
“He’s come in this offseason with the mindset that he’s going to take the next step…me and him are the first guys here everyday and he’s been consistent with it,” Crosby said, per Jesse Merrick of the Silver & Black Sports Network.
Powers-Johnson and Crosby even have a little friendly competition going to see who can show up to the facility first each morning, as the Raiders revealed on their Instagram story.
#Raiders DE Maxx Crosby acknowledged him and C Jackson Powers-Johnson didn't have the best relationship last year, but said the 2nd-year OL has displayed a lot of growth since then. He's stronger and more dialed in on the details. Crosby said he's ready to take the next step.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) July 23, 2025
"I beat him in the other day," Powers-Johnson said in response to a clip of Crosby arriving first and playfully calling him out. "Of course the one day he comes in at 5:30. I'm going to show up at like 4 a.m. tomorrow. Stay tuned."
With Andre James gone, Powers-Johnson is moving over to center, where he played in college. JPJ saw 421 snaps at the position in 2024 and surrendered two sacks and 23 pressures throughout his 956 total snaps on offense.
The fact that Powers-Johnson has won over Crosby and is displaying great work is a great sign he's going to be everything the Raiders hoped he would be, and then some.
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