The Las Vegas Raiders nearly lost the face of their defense this offseason, only for the situation to flip back in their favor at the last moment. Maxx Crosby appeared to be on his way to the Baltimore Ravens before the trade fell apart over medical concerns tied to his recovery.
Instead of leaving, Crosby is now back in the building and once again central to the Raiders’ plans for 2026. That dramatic reversal has clearly left an impression on new head coach Klint Kubiak, who now views Crosby’s return as one of the biggest boosts of the offseason. In Kubiak’s eyes, it almost feels like Las Vegas added another star free agent without ever having to go sign one.
Why Klint Kubiak Views Maxx Crosby’s Return as a Free-Agent Addition
Speaking at the Annual League Meeting with NFL senior national columnist Judy Battista of NFL Network, Kubiak was asked about Crosby’s place within the team after such a chaotic offseason.
The backdrop to that answer is important: Crosby’s expected trade to Baltimore was one of the league’s biggest stories before it unraveled, leaving many to wonder whether there would be any lingering awkwardness between the player and the organization. Kubiak made it sound like there has been none of that.
“I think I’ve seen Maxx almost every day,” said Kubiak, via NFL Network. “He’s in the building every day, he beats a lot of the coaches in there. A really impressive guy. Being a great player is really important to him. You can just tell by the way he shows up. I think John [Spytek] said this, but it’s kind of like he never left. I felt like we picked up another free-agent signing once we got him back from Baltimore. Really excited about him leading our defense.”
That comment made by the head coach says a lot about how the Raiders are framing Crosby’s return internally. Rather than treating him as a player who nearly left, Las Vegas seems to be looking at it as if the saga is firmly in the rearview mirror.
It also helps that the Raiders spent much of the offseason upgrading the roster around him, particularly on defense, where additions like Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker should ease some of the burden Crosby has carried for years.
Why the Raiders Remain Confident in Crosby’s Recovery Timeline
Another major subplot in the failed trade was Crosby’s health. Baltimore’s hesitation reportedly centered on his offseason meniscus recovery, which naturally raised questions about when he might be fully available for Las Vegas. Kubiak, however, does not appear overly concerned.
“I know there’s gonna be a point in training camp where we’re going to get him back,” said Kubiak. “I’m not gonna get too much further into that. I think training camp, he’ll be back ready to roll. With the way that he works, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s ready earlier.”
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That optimism matters because Crosby remains the emotional and schematic centerpiece of the Raiders’ front. His return not only stabilizes the defense, but it also gives Las Vegas a legitimate tone-setter as Kubiak begins shaping the team in his image.
For now, the Raiders appear eager to move on from the turbulence and focus on what Crosby still means to the franchise. If he returns healthy, with the ruthless mentality to cut through the noise of the offseason, and the new supporting cast delivers, Las Vegas may view this near-trade not as a crisis but as the turning point that clarifies what this roster can become.
