LAS VEGAS — For most of Maxx Crosby’s career, getting him off the football field was nearly impossible. Now the Las Vegas Raiders are discovering something potentially more valuable than having Crosby play every defensive snap: making sure he’s fresh for the snaps that decide games.
Through three weeks, the strategy is working. The Raiders are 3-0 for the first time since 2021, already matching last season’s win total, while Crosby has repeatedly made his biggest impact late in games.
“It’s been great,” Crosby said. “I’m in my eighth season now and I have a lot of football left in my life. … We’ve had a plan and we’re executing it and I feel great.”
The difference has been noticeable. In the season-opening 27-13 victory over Miami, Crosby was relatively quiet through three quarters before recording 1.5 sacks in the fourth. He also missed 10 defensive snaps once almost unheard of for a player known for rarely leaving the field.
Against the Chargers, Crosby missed nine snaps but remained disruptive. Los Angeles left tackle Joe Alt committed three false starts while dealing with Crosby and was later called for holding him in the end zone, resulting in a fourth-quarter safety during the Raiders’ 26-14 victory.
Then came New Orleans. Crosby sat for 10 defensive snaps in the Raiders’ 35-27 comeback victory, but once again made his presence felt when the game tightened. With Las Vegas trailing 27-22 early in the fourth quarter, Malcolm Koonce produced a strip-sack and Crosby recovered the loose ball.
Happily Adjusting
Later, Crosby was credited with a forced fumble on Jeremy Chinn’s strip-sack. Crosby finished with only two tackles, but recorded two quarterback hits, a pass defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. That’s the point of the Raiders’ new approach. It’s not about how many snaps Crosby plays. It’s about what he does with them.
“He knows it has winning with the end goal, winning the long game of being available for the whole season,” Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said. “And Maxx is about winning, so he understands that.”
The strategy also works because Las Vegas has surrounded Crosby with more defensive help. Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker and Kwity Paye have joined a unit that also features Koonce, Jeremy Chinn, Tonka Hemingway and young safety Treydan Stukes under first-year defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.
The result was evident in New Orleans, where the Raiders generated four fourth-quarter takeaways. For Crosby, winning is what matters. Despite five Pro Bowl selections and two second-team All-Pro honors, team success has been scarce during his Raiders career.
Outside of the 2021 playoff season, Las Vegas entered 2026 with a 36-64 record since drafting him in 2019. Now the Raiders are undefeated. Sunday’s matchup against Kansas City presents their biggest test yet.
A victory would make Las Vegas 4-0 for the first time since 2002, the season the Raiders last reached the Super Bowl. It’s far too early to compare these Raiders to that team.
But one thing has become clear. For years, Crosby proved his toughness by refusing to leave the field. Now Las Vegas is asking him to take a few snaps off, trust his teammates and preserve himself for the fourth quarter. So far, less Maxx Crosby has resulted in more Maxx Crosby when it matters most.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
