New Las Vegas Raiders Coach: We Want Maxx Crosby to Stay
Posted on: February 10, 2026, 08:26h.
Last updated on: February 10, 2026, 08:31h.
- Raiders introduce new head coach Klint Kubiak at news conference today
- Kubiak said he wants to keep star edge rusher Maxx Crosby in the fold
- Raiders own No. 1 NFL draft pick this April
The Las Vegas Raiders introduced new head coach Klint Kubiak today, but it was a question about the future of star defensive end Maxx Crosby that was the big takeaway.
Overall, the news conference was a typically light, introductory affair, with platitudes about Kubiak, past Raiders star players, the organization and its facilities, its history and tradition.
The future of Crosby is tied directly to the direction the Raiders take. Do they take that $90 million plus salary cap the team has, address must-need areas like the offensive line and build to win in the short term?
No. 1 Overall Draft Pick
Or, as the hiring of a 38-year-old head coach seemingly suggests, do they opt for a longer-term build?
Crosby has reportedly made it clear he wants no part of a rebuild. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said that he has heard that Crosby “isn’t overly thrilled to be there right now.
“I don’t know exactly what he did or didn’t say to (minority Raiders owner) Tom Brady,” Schefter said. “I think there’s a feeling around the league that he would like to be traded. And then the question becomes, is he actually traded?”
Micah Parsons-Type Return
So the topic of a trade has been bandied about over social media the past few days, speculation on where he ends up. Schefter added that if the Raiders start entertaining a Crosby trade they would be looking at a Micah Parsons-type return. In August the Dallas Cowboys traded the two time All Pro edge rusher to the Green Bay Packers for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks.
Kubiak and the Raiders were saying all the right things. They clearly want Crosby to stay with the organization. Crosby was in the Raiders’ complex today, likely working on his injured knee, but he wasn’t at the news conference.
Crosby Meeting
Kubiak told the gaggle of team ownership and management, players, media and family that he met with Crosby.
I got to drink a cup of coffee with Maxx this morning,” said Kubiak. “I love talking ball with him. I look forward to continuing those conversations. He was the first one in here this morning, working out. We want him to be part of our success going forward. He’s one of the best players in the NFL, so it’s a no-brainer to get to work with Maxx and see him continue to have success with this organization.”
The Raiders allowed 25.4 points per game last season, 25th in the NFL, allowing 317.8 total yards allowed per game (14th in the NFL). The Raiders defence had 16 takeaways (tied for 23rd).
Huge Salary Cap Space
The Raiders (+18000 to win the Super Bowl next year, at DraftKings) own the No. 1 overall draft pick April 23, after finishing the season 3-14. The Raiders are expected to choose Heisman Trophy winning QB Fernando Mendoza (-7000 at FanDuel to go first overall).
Clearly getting the most out of Mendoza was a big topic of conversation during Kubiak’s two interviews with the Raiders, led by team GM John Spytek. Brady was also involved.
And Kubiak has a great reputation there. As offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, in just one season in the role, Kubiak guided an offence that ranked third in the NFL in scoring (28.4 points per game), eighth in total offence (351.4 yards per game), eighth in passing (236.5 yards per game) and sixth in average yards per play (5.9 yards per play).
Sam Darnold’s Comeback
The Seahawks’ offense set franchise records for most points scored in a single season (483) and largest point differential (+191).
After being cast out of the Minnesota Vikings organization before joining the Seahawks for this season, QB Sam Darnold excelled under Kubiak’s tutelage.
Darnold was named to his second career Pro Bowl after completing 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His 67.7 completion percentage was the seventh-best mark in the NFL and the highest rate in a single season of his career.
“Whether it’s a rebuild, whether you’re on a returning roster, with Super Bowl aspirations, to me, the work doesn’t change,” said Kubiak. “Preparation doesn’t change. Every team next year is going to start off undefeated. So to me, it doesn’t change much. Obviously it’s what you identify as your team needs in the offseason, player acquisition wise. And then once the season starts, we’re all on the same page.”
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