Pat Freiermuth Asked Steelers QB1 Kenny Pickett What To Do With Raiders Star Maxx Crosby In Hilarious Exchange

The Steelers possess one of the most intimidating defensive presences in the NFL in TJ Watt. Because of that, it's always interesting to hear players say which players are the most difficult to block. Watt is always in those conversations, along with guys like Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby is a name that has been appearing more and more on these kind of lists.

It makes sense, as he's broken into a superstar the past two seasons specifically. In that span, he has 20.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, 11 pass deflections, and 66 quarterback hits across 34 games. He's earned his first two Pro Bowl appearances in the past two years, including a Second Team All-Pro honor in 2021. Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth appeared on Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take podcast, and he named the Raiders star as the hardest player that he has tried to block.

"Maxx Crosby. I'm sure you can find the clip, but he f***ed me up. Oh, it was so bad. He sent me flying. Kenny [Pickett] will contest to this story. I looked at him like, 'Dude, what do you want me to do?' He's like, 'I don't know, go low,'" Freiermuth said on the Pardon My Take podcast.

Unfortunately for Freiermuth, he will have to face Crosby relatively early in the 2023 season. The Steelers travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Sunday Night Football in Week 3. While blocking isn't Freiermuth's only duty, it seems like it's enough to keep him up at night. It's long been considered his biggest weakness, although he continues to improve. In fact, Pittsburgh has a brutal start to the season as far as the edge defenders that they face.

Before Crosby in Week 3, the Steelers blockers will have to deal with Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett to open up the season. Nothing like welcoming rookies Broderick Jones and Darnell Washington to the NFL. Well, that is if Jones ends up starting at left tackle over Dan Moore Jr. That's quite the gauntlet to start though, as it will be a testament to how far along the Steelers are in the process of getting back to their old identity.

Is Crosby up there with Steelers' Watt?

If you remember, the Steelers and Raiders had an epic battle in Week 15 of the 2022 season. Quarterback Kenny Pickett capped off a memorable game-winning touchdown drive in the closing seconds of the 50th anniversary of Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception. While Crosby didn’t register a sack in the contest, he made his presence felt. 

In addition to four total tackles, he had four quarterback hits, the second-most in his impressive 2022 campaign. In the 2021 contest against the Steelers, it was a similar performance for Crosby. He didn't have a sack, but tied his season-high with five quarterback hits. So across two games, he does not have a sack against right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, but he has still gotten to the quarterback.

Browns fans may consider Freiermuth’s comment as a slight to Garrett, but Crosby has etched his name into the conversation now. They are all great in their own regard, but for Freiermuth, his personal experience with Crosby separates him in the conversation. The Steelers will certainly have a game plan to try and slow down those three elite pass rushers in the first few weeks of the season.

Where does Crosby rank in terms of the best pass rushers in the NFL? Does the start to the season (Bosa, Garrett, and Crosby) concern you for the offensive line? What is your favorite Steelers-Raiders memory in your lifetime? Share your comments and memories in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites, yinz!

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