Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has been through a lot of adversity this offseason, but his time away from the field recovering from a torn meniscus may be coming to an end.
Between a failed physical that ultimately imploded a potential trade to the Baltimore Ravens and an end of the season in which he was held out of the final two games of the season, the five-time Pro Bowler is excited to get back to action on the field.
“There is a lot of stuff that doesn’t need to be discussed, but ultimately I’m exactly where I want to be,” Crosby said. “I’m excited to be here with this group.
“I love being out there with the guys, I love being on the field, I’m real close. I am at the point where I am almost there, but I forget that I need to relax a little bit, so that has been the biggest battle right now.”
New Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, who has been a part of the organization since 2023, discussed what Crosby has been doing to prepare for next season.
“You know Maxx,” Leonard said. “He’s doing everything he can but practice. Meetings, attended walkthroughs, he’s out there stretching. He’s fully involved.
“Probably the biggest reason I came here was an opportunity to coach him. It’s awesome to help him towards some of his goals, as well as the defense in this organization. I just think of how much he’s given and sacrificed to this place to help make something that we’re all proud of.”
In 15 games last season, Crosby totaled 10 of the Raiders’ 37 sacks, 73 tackles, an interception and two forced fumbles.
A fully healthy Crosby — mixed with the defensive signings of Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean and Kwity Paye — will look to improve a defense that ranked 18th in the NFL in total sacks.
Raiders’ preseason schedule announced
The Raiders did not receive any prime time TV games for the upcoming season, but they will be featured on the NFL preseason schedule, which was announced Wednesday. They will play on ESPN at the Houston Texans on Aug. 20.
That is the Raiders’ only road preseason game with the other two at Allegiant Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 13 and the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 27.
Every game is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. PT.
Key defensive absences
After a week in which Jeremy Chinn notched multiple interceptions, the veteran safety was absent from OTAs on Wednesday.
This was most likely a maintenance day, as he spoke to the media following the practice.
Additionally, Nakobe Dean, a free agent signing, had not dressed for OTAs, and that trend continued for the former Philadelphia Eagle.
Dean was signed to a three-year, $36 million contract with the Raiders in March.
Kubiak making his mark
New Raiders coach Klint Kubiak took over after winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks as an offensive coordinator, and he has brought some of those championship habits to Las Vegas, according to his players.
Crosby said Kubiak’s and his staff have shown presence and leadership in a short period of time.
“We have an extremely smart and great leader of men in Klint Kubiak,” Crosby said. “The coaching staff is very detailed, and they are very intentional with everything they are trying to accomplish.
“We’re not just going out there and checking boxes. We are trying to get things done the right way and establish a foundation.”
Kubiak joined the Seahawks prior to the 2025 season and helped bring the franchise its second Super Bowl championship and first since 2014. He is looking to accomplish the same goal with the Raiders.
The house always wins
The Las Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday, a fact the Raiders organization, including defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, noticed.
“I mean, you see the city come to life with what’s going on,” Leonard said. “I think about that all the time. It’s a great example.”
The Raiders have appeared multiple times in support of the VGK during their nine-year history, including in this playoff run. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins cranked the siren to open Game 5 of their second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks.
