Tag: Raiders

  • Maxx Crosby excited for Raiders’ future with Pete Carroll, whose impact is being felt: ‘My type of person’

    Maxx Crosby excited for Raiders’ future with Pete Carroll, whose impact is being felt: ‘My type of person’

    Maxx Crosby is an optimist, and with Pete Carroll on board as the Las Vegas Raiders’ new head coach, the defensive end couldn’t be more excited about the future. 

    The star edge rusher spoke to Fox News Digital on Radio Row in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX, and while he enjoys his time among his peers, he also wants to be playing in the “Big Game” one day. 

    Carroll has lifted the Lombardi Trophy once as a head coach in the NFL, while with the Seattle Seahawks, and also won two national championships during his time coaching in college. 

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    Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)

    That championship pedigree is what Crosby believes the Raiders need right now.

    “I think it’s pretty straightforward: He’s done it. He’s done it many times at both levels, college and the NFL,” Crosby said when asked why Carroll was the right man for the Raiders’ head coaching gig, while also promoting his partnership with SAXX Underwear on Radio Row.

    “For me, I’m an optimistic person. I want to be a winner, I want a chance to win. From everything I’ve seen so far, it’s been encouraging. So — taking it one step at a time and we’ll see how everything plays out. But I’m excited for the future, for sure.”

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    Carroll’s impact within the Raiders organization has already been felt by Crosby, too, and it’s that patented energy he brings every day that’s “infectious.”

    “Every conversation I’ve had with him has been awesome,” Crosby said. “All energy all the time, my type of person. At the end of the day, you’ve got to have fun with what we do, you know what I mean? We’re modern-day gladiators. We’re going out there — car crashes every single Sunday. That’s the reality. So, you have to have fun with it. The work comes first, but at the same time, you’ve got to enjoy your job. You’ve got to be excited to come into the building every morning and go to work. 

    Pete Carroll looks on

    Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 7, 2024. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

    “I think he does an incredible job doing that. I’ve yet to experience that yet, but just being around him for a couple weeks now, the dude doesn’t stop.”

    Crosby offered an example of how much fun Carroll is having being back inside an NFL building. 

    “It’s about team, it’s about culture, it’s about competing,” he began. “That’s what he preaches and lives by. I’ve been able to see it at a short glimpse so far, but it’s just funny. You hear guys, I’m talking to one of the front office guys, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, I have this JBL speaker — [Carroll] gave everyone a speaker. I go upstairs and it sounds like a frat house is going on.’ There’s music bumping all the time and stuff. I love that. That’s how I am. 

    “I think it’s necessary. Energy’s got to be right and correct, and I feel like that leads to success when the work is behind it. He’s proven it his whole life that he can win and knows how to win. It’s exciting.”

    MAXX AND SAXX MADE PERFECT SENSE

    When Saxx Underwear wanted to partner with Crosby, he found it a no-brainer, considering the name. But it’s what they’ve done together, impacting the next generation of athletes with NIL (name, image and likeness) deals, that has him excited to talk about it during Super Bowl Week. 

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    Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

    “Just the alignment from top to bottom, how much they poured into what I believe in,” he said of the partnership. “Helping out with NIL deals for guys at Eastern Michigan, UNLV. Helping out and giving back to places I care about. And best underwear in the game, period. 

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    “I wear it every single day, and we aligned in many ways. They’ve been incredible.”

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  • Raiders’ Maxx Crosby shares admiration for Trump, details relationship with president: ‘Treated me incredible’

    Raiders’ Maxx Crosby shares admiration for Trump, details relationship with president: ‘Treated me incredible’

    President Trump is expected to be heading down to the Big Easy for Super Bowl LIX, and Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby expects nothing less from the man he came to know through sports. 

    Trump has been spotted at numerous sporting events over the years, including NFL games, UFC fights and more. 

    Crosby, who was on radio row in New Orleans on behalf of SAXX Underwear, spoke to Fox News Digital about meeting the president and how they’ve built a relationship since then. 

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    Maxx Crosby at Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Super Bowl Party held at Marquee Dayclub Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan on February 10, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)

    “He’s a huge sports fan in general,” Crosby said. “I’ve been to UFC events with him, sat and watched fights with him in the back, and he’s like one of us. That’s just his personality. 

    “Having a guy like that leading is incredible, and [he’s] being a part of everyday life. It’s not like you don’t see him anywhere. He’s out with people, which is awesome to see.”

    Crosby touched on feeling safe in New Orleans, especially considering the terror attack on historic Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day. Having upwards of 100,000 people traveling to the city, let alone the president eventually making his way to Caesars Superdome for the “Big Game,” has led to increased security measures that create an environment sports fans can enjoy. 

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    Maxx Crosby yells

    Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Las Vegas, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.  (AP Photo/David Becker)

    Sports is how Crosby and Trump connected, and the former called himself “blessed” to be able to say he has a relationship with the President of the United States. 

    “It’s unbelievable,” Crosby explained. “I never thought that would be a thing in my life. I’ve been blessed enough to have friends like Dana White, guys who are friends with [Trump]. Just happened to cross paths.”

    Crosby expressed his fandom of Trump shortly after a July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania on his campaign trail. Crosby referred to Trump as the GOAT in a post on X that day.

    Crosby said his relationship with Trump, or anyone for that matter, is never influenced by outside noise. He’d rather interact with the person himself, and found that, like he said, Trump’s personality just matched the energy he has. 

    “To be honest, we’re all human beings at the end of the day, regardless of position, what you’ve been through,” Crosby said. “Life is life, everybody has things they go through. Everyone has adversity, everyone has mistakes. But it’s about where your feet are at, and I think he’s done an incredible job with that. My relationship with him, I’ve been with him multiple times, and it’s been incredible. 

    “I’m not the person that likes to judge by what other people say – I like to make my own judgments for myself. So, he’s treated me incredible every time I’ve been with him.” 

    MAXX AND SAXX MADE PERFECT SENSE

    When Saxx Underwear wanted to partner with Crosby, he found it a no-brainer, considering the name. But it’s what they’ve done together, impacting the next generation of athletes with NIL deals, that has him excited to talk about it during Super Bowl week. 

    Tubi promo

    Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

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    “Just the alignment from top to bottom, how much they poured into what I believe in,” Crosby said of the partnership. “Helping out with NIL deals for guys at Eastern Michigan, UNLV. Helping out and giving back to places I care about. And best underwear in the game, period. 

    “I wear it every single day, and we aligned in many ways. They’ve been incredible.”

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  • Raiders owner Mark Davis says Jon Gruden’s resignation set organization back: ‘His head was chopped off’

    Raiders owner Mark Davis says Jon Gruden’s resignation set organization back: ‘His head was chopped off’

    Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis hired Jon Gruden as head coach in 2018, locking him with a massive 10-year contract with the confidence that bringing Gruden back would bring stability and success to the organization. 

    Instead, Gruden would be forced to resign years later over an email scandal – a sequence of events that Davis believes largely set the organization back. 

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    Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, left, talks to team owner Mark Davis before the Raiders play the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 21, 2021. (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)

    Speaking to the media on Monday, Davis praised the additions of new head coach Pete Carroll and new general manager John Spytek. However, he also praised the team’s new “infrastructure,” which includes Tom Brady as a minority owner. 

    “Bringing in Tom Brady was bringing in somebody that was on the football side that I had been lacking having here at the organization,” Davis said. 

    “Back in 2018 with Jon Gruden, he was someone that I brought in and really expected to be that person on the football side that would bring stability to the organization. He had a 10-year contract and all that – and his head was chopped off.”  

    Jon Gruden talks to Mark Davis on the sidelines

    Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, left, speaks with owner Mark Davis before the game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland Coliseum on Dec. 24, 2018. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

    EX-NFL COACH JON GRUDEN RIPS STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS

    Gruden, who is currently suing the NFL, resigned after leaked emails sent by the former head coach included racist, misogynistic and homophobic remarks directed at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, among others.

    Davis said that Gruden’s resignation in 2021 triggered a series of turnovers in the organization.

    “We were put in a really bad position as an organization. And we tried to get it right with Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler – that didn’t work out. Antonio Pierce was given the interim job and I believe the job that he did as an interim coach warranted him earning the job as head coach of the Raiders… We just felt that it was time for a change.” 

    Pete Carroll introductory press conference

    Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll speaks at a press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center on Jan. 27, 2025. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

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    Davis said Monday that he believes Brady fills the void left behind by Gruden and that the new personnel brought in will have the lasting effect he had hoped for in 2018.

    “We want to build something here. That’s been the process and mindset all along. Like I said, that got offset or kind of blown up when Jon Gruden was sent away. So, we’ve been trying to get it right since then. We’ll see, but I’ve got patience to get it right.” 

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    Carroll takes over as the team’s 14th head coach since Gruden was traded to Tampa Bay in 2002. He is the fifth coach, including those in an interim role, since the Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020.

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    The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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  • Pete Carroll set to become Raiders head coach: reports

    Pete Carroll set to become Raiders head coach: reports

    After giving up on a project that was Antonio Pierce, the Las Vegas Raiders are bringing in a coaching veteran.

    The Raiders have reportedly agreed to a deal that would make Pete Carroll their next head coach.

    After firing Josh McDaniels in 2023, the Raiders made Pierce their interim head coach. He appeared to turn the locker room around, and the Raiders went 5-4 in their final nine games.

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    Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll watches his team play against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 7, 2024. (IMAGN)

    However, they went just 4-13 this season amid rough quarterback play, and Pierce lasted just one season without the interim tag.

    It is a total revamp for Vegas, as they also fired general manager Tom Telesco just days after getting rid of Pierce.

    Carroll was reportedly given a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth.

    Carroll, who will turn 74 at the beginning of the NFL season, was an advisor for the Seattle Seahawks after being their head coach for 14 seasons. He coached them to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, winning one.

    Before joining Seattle, Carroll was on the USC sidelines for 10 seasons where, in similar fashion, he took the Trojans to back-to-back national championships, but split those. He was also the head coach of the Jets and Patriots in the 1990s.

    Pete Carroll looks on

    Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks on prior to facing off against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

    CONNECTICUT LAWMAKER INTRODUCES BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING ON FLIGHTS TO, FROM STATE

    Carroll won four Rose Bowls at USC and five division titles with Seattle.

    The Raiders have the sixth overall pick, which isn’t ideal for them as they desperately need a quarterback. It figures that Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders will be taken within the top three.

    Pete Carroll talks with Geno Smith

    Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, #7, against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

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    Carroll becomes the fourth head coach for the Raiders since the turn of the decade, joining Jon Gruden, McDaniels and Pierce. Rich Bisaccia was also the interim head coach after Gruden resigned following his email controversy.

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  • Raiders expected to hire John Spytek as new GM: reports

    Raiders expected to hire John Spytek as new GM: reports

    The Las Vegas Raiders have made their first big hire of the offseason. 

    The organization is expected to name John Spytek, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ assistant GM, as their next general manager, per multiple reports.

    Spytek takes over for Tom Telesco, who lasted just one season after joining the Raiders in the same GM role he held with the Los Angeles Chargers. 

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    John Spytek, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vice president of player personnel, watches action on the field before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins Aug. 13, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Spytek, 44, has an extensive track record in NFL front offices, and it all began as a Detroit Lions operations intern in 2004. 

    He moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles, serving as a college and pro scout from 2005-09, and then to the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos in similar scouting roles before eventually landing in Tampa Bay in 2016. 

    DEION SANDERS HAS ‘VERY STRONG INTEREST’ IN OPEN RAIDERS JOB: REPORT

    He joined the Bucs as their director of player personnel, working alongside GM Jason Licht to build a Tampa Bay squad that won the Super Bowl during the 2021 season. 

    One of the main reasons for that Vince Lombardi Trophy heading back to Tampa Bay was the Bucs’ acquisition of Tom Brady, which Spytek played a role in after their time together as Michigan Wolverines. 

    That connection continues with the Raiders. Brady is a minority owner of the franchise.

    John Spytek looks on field

    John Spytek, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vice president of player personnel, watches action at Buccaneers rookie minicamp May 14, 2022, at the AdventHealth Training Center at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Fla. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Spytek worked his way through the Bucs’ front office, getting promoted to vice president of player personnel in 2021 and then moving to assistant GM in 2023. 

    With Spytek expected to assume his role soon, the next big hire will be head coach for the Raiders after the firing of Antonio Pierce one season after the team named him full-time head coach after an interim stint in 2023. 

    John Spytek looks on field

    John Spytek, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vice president of player personnel, watches before a preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buccaneers Aug. 13, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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    Then Spytek will aim to build a roster in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and some more playmakers on both sides of the ball. Las Vegas owns the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and some view the Raiders as a team that may trade up to get a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. 

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