Chicago Bears edge-rusher Austin Booker. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Bears rookie finds an unlikely mentor in Raiders Pro Bowler

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 5/15/24

When the Chicago Bears picked University of Kansas edge-rusher Austin Booker with the ninth pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, many believed the team got a steal.

Booker was projected to go as high as the third round by several scouts and draft analysts, so the fact the 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive end was still on the board is a coup for a rebuilding Bears pass rush.

As Booker transitions to life in the NFL, he admitted to reporters during Chicago’s rookie minicamp that he’s already found a mentor, albeit from an unlikely source: Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.

“We train in the offseason with the same guy, Javon Gopie, and he just connected us,” Booker said. “He called me after I got drafted, just letting me know I can reach out whenever I have a question or any type of thing like that, because he obviously has a great process how he does things because he’s able to compete at a high level. So having that resource has just been great.”

As far as mentors go, Booker couldn’t have picked a better one. He's been compared to Crosby by several scouting services and draft analysts, including NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein.

Just seen CBS had Austin Booker's NFL Comp as Maxx Crosby FWIW.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) April 27, 2024

Crosby is tied for the fifth-most sacks in the NFL (52) since his rookie year in 2019, and he’s registered 45 or more pressures and 30 or more hurries in every one of his seasons, per Pro Football Focus.

Crosby, a fourth-round selection, turned many heads as a rookie with a breakout 10-sack season. After a solid first two years, Crosby emerged as one of the most-feared pass-rushers in the NFL as he racked up 283 pressures, 185 hurries, 58 tackles for loss, 57 QB hits, 35 sacks and five forced fumbles over the last three seasons.

Booker disclosed his goal in his relationship with Crosby is to be a sponge and take whatever advice the two-time All-Pro gives him and implement it in Chicago.

“[I want to learn] everything I can,” Booker added. “Whether that’s nutrition or just, like, his mobility routine. Just stuff like that. If I can take whatever I can from him and all the other great players I come about, and just add it to my game.”

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