Jackson Powers-Johnson has a new mentor and we’re here for it
A relationship is blossoming this offseason in Las Vegas and it’s pretty dang cool.
Jackson Powers-Johnson and Maxx Crosby are becoming extremely close and it should have a subtle, but important positive impact on the team as a whole.
As he entered the offseason after his rookie year, Jackson-Powers, the Raiders’ starting center, gravitated to Crosby, the team’s superstar pass-rusher. Powers-Johnson worked out with the veteran routinely during the offseason.
It’s all part of the process of becoming a well-rounded NFL player for Powers-Johnson.
“I think it starts with doing everything right all the time.” Powers-Johnson told reporters June 4. “I’ve had a lot of great mentorships in that. I’ve been with Maxx all offseason and seeing how he handles things and (I’m) trying to manage that as much as possible.”
At another point in the offseason, Powers-Johnson said he is soaking everything he can from Crosby and that some of his teammates have been teasing him because he is always following Crosby around. His comeback to those teasing teammates? You bet I’m going to shadow an All-Pro player like Crosby.
Crosby has been impressed by Powers-Johnson this offseason and he sees a young player who is hungry to improve. Crosby said on his podcast, The Rush, that Powers-Johnson has impressed him by sticking with Crosby’s grueling daily workouts early every morning and he keeps coming backs getting better from it and Crosby is excited for what’s next for Powers-Johnson.
It may seem like no big deal that two professional football players are working out together and have formed a bond.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
But this can very much be a beneficial situation for the team.
First, it shows how dedicated Powers-Johnson is to getting better. And it also shows that Crosby is a willing mentor to younger.
Their teammates see this friendship and it gives them motivation to bond with teammates.
Also, this may be silly, but having offensive and defensive players grow close is somewhat unique. believe or not, NFL teams can often be divided by positions and sides of the ball.
Players often meet separately from other position groups and often locker rooms are situated by positions.
Often, players from offense and defense don’t spend a ton of time together. This is just another opportunity for team unity. Football is all about chemistry and culture and this is a strong building block going into the season.