The Las Vegas Raiders made a big move this offseason by hiring Super Bowl 60-winning offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak from the Seattle Seahawks. Maxx Crosby has been a hot topic for the team this offseason, and it’s possible that they just made a bold coaching move that will entice him to stay with the organization.
Las Vegas Raiders Promote Defensive Coach in Attempt to Keep Maxx Crosby
On Saturday, the Raiders announced that they were promoting defensive line coach Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator, who has been with the team since 2023. NFL Insider Adam Schefter posted the following:
“Raiders are finalizing a deal to promote run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator, per sources. Leonard worked closely last season with Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby, whose future in Las Vegas remains uncertain.”
Following that, ESPN NFL Analyst Peter Schrager tweeted the following: “After a week of A block discussions on Maxx Crosby’s future in Vegas, hiring his position coach — who has a great relationship with Crosby — seems like quite a statement to the star defensive end by both the Raiders brass and new coach Klint Kubiak.”
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There’s no doubt that it was a strategic move from Kubiak and the Raiders to motivate Crosby to stay with the organization. After all, he is one of the best edge rushers in the league, and his departure would immediately be felt on their defense.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport followed it up and wrote: “With Maxx Crosby’s future uncertain in Las Vegas, worth noting that the #Raiders hired the coach with whom he works directly. As one person noted, ‘The plot thickens.'”
Regarding trade rumors, Crosby said he didn’t want to “Throw gas on the fire” and contribute to the talks. The only thing he can control right now is getting healthy, which he said is his main focus. Towards the end of the season, he landed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury.
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In PFSN’s NFL Edge Rusher Impact Metric, Crosby ranked as the second-best edge rusher this season behind only Myles Garrett, who won NFL Defensive Player of the Year. In 15 regular-season games, he finished with an impact score of 95.3 and a letter grade of A. Crosby racked up 73 total tackles, 10 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 6 pass defenses, and 28 tackles for loss.
Throughout his entire career, he’s racked up 439 total tackles, 69.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 29 passes defended, 133 tackles for loss, and 164 quarterback hits. He’s also a two-time Second-Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.
