'There's no me vs. him': Browns' Myles Garrett, Raiders' Maxx Crosby share mutual respect

BEREA — There is no tier of edge rusher in the NFL higher than the one where Browns defensive end Myles Garrett resides.

The three-time All-Pro and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year has established himself among the elites in the game, not just at his position but at any position. He's shattered all of the Browns' sack records, and draws attention from opposing offenses unlike hardly anyone.

Garrett , though, doesn't view himself on that tier alone. There are others he considers to be his equals, those he sees as individuals from whom he can learn.

One of them is the Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. The Browns will face the Raiders on Sunday , but Cleveland caught a huge break Friday when Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce ruled out Crosby with a high ankle sprain along with six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), although the Raiders' official injury report listed Crosby as "doubtful."

"I like to watch guys who are in similar situations to myself," Garrett said Thursday. "So there's a whole host of moves, a matter of 'will I be able to use that move in a situation which I'm in?' whether there's double teams or chips, and that doesn't happen very often. Maxx is one of those guys, so I like watching him and how he attacks it and just how relentless he is, that kind of stuff. I really appreciate his game.

"So there's a couple of guys I definitely do watch, but I like to stick to my game as well as I can because I feel my situation is pretty unique."

Sunday's game in Las Vegas won't provide a showdown between the 28-year-old Garrett and the 27-year-old Crosby. Garrett said Thursday, "There’s no me versus him. I'm sure people make it stat-wise or make some graphics or edits that look like that."

Of course, Garrett made the comment before he knew Crosby would be ruled out.

Still, it's hard not to mention their names in the same breath. Since 2019 — Garrett's third season in the league and Crosby's first — Garrett is ranked second (70) and Crosby fifth (55) in sacks, second (13) and tied for third (12) in games with two-plus sacks, and third (130) and fourth (129) in quarterback hits.

"I've got a ton of respect for him," Crosby told Las Vegas reporters Thursday. "Hell of a player. Me and him, we've spent a lot of time the last few years at the Pro Bowl together, different events, NFL Honors, all different type of things. And me and him, we got a good relationship. He's an incredible player. Got everything you can imagine from a skill set standpoint, athleticism, strength, everything. He's just a hell of a player. So you have a guy like that lined up on the other side, it's a healthy competition, so I've got a lot of respect for him."

Garrett has recorded two sacks, five quarterback hits and 15 total pressures this season. He's also caused fumbles on both of his sacks of the Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott and the Jacksonville Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence.

More USA Today Network NFL coverage: Which NFL stadium is the best? Vote for your favorite.

Crosby has three sacks this season, with five quarterbacks hits and 11 total pressures. He also has five tackles for loss, three more than Garrett.

"I like his game," Garrett said of Crosby. "I like how he plays. He's 100% every time he steps on the field. Hell, I don't think he comes off the field. So stuff like that I admire from him, so I continue to do what I do, watch him when he's on the field, but when I go out there my mind's on making it happen for my team and for my defense."

That's a trait both players share, which has been even more evident the last couple of weeks. Both had managed to still answer the bell despite fighting through lower leg injuries that have severely limited them in practices.

Garrett has been playing through foot issues all season that have led to him also dealing with issues with his Achilles and thigh, which was obvious in the severe limp with which he walked after playing 42 snaps in last Sunday's loss to the New York Giants. He returned to practice Thursday after not practicing Wednesday and said he's feeling "more like myself … but feel good enough" to play against the Raiders.

Crosby, meanwhile, has a high-ankle sprain he suffered Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens. He played 61 of a possible 74 defensive snaps Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, but he'll be idle versus the Browns.

"I play one way, and when you're not able to do certain things it's tough," Crosby said Thursday. "But I did everything … to try to produce and I feel like I did some things, some good things, but it's tough. I have a damn Timberland boot-size wrapping on my leg … and it's, it's tough. But at the end of the day, I don't complain. Like I said, I'm focused on getting healthy, just taking it one day at a time."

Garrett and Crosby share another love: Basketball. Both can be found on various social media videos showing off their dunking abilities.

Crosby was asked to handicap a potential one-on-one matchup against Garrett. The answer wasn't a surprise.

"Me, for sure," Crosby said with a smile. "… I'm just taking myself as a hooper, you know what I mean? … I feel like if me and him, if they were to pick two bigs in the league to be a starting five, I feel like me and him and [Raiders defensive tackle] Christian [Wilkins] would be a crazy duo."

Offensive coordinators around the NFL are just glad they're not a "crazy duo" on the same defensive line.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'There's no me vs. him': Browns' Myles Garrett, Raiders' Maxx Crosby share mutual respect