Maxx Crosby opens up on Pete Carroll during OTAs

Learning how to operate under a new coaching staff is nothing new for Maxx Crosby.

Between Oakland and Las Vegas, Crosby is going to be playing with his fourth full-time head coach since being drafted by the Raiders in 2019 (fifth, if counting interim head coach Rich Bisaccia). The lack of stability has correlated with the lack of success during Crosby’s tenure with the team, only making it to the playoffs once in his six-year NFL career. A three-year extension signed in March, however, has fans convinced that Crosby believes head coach Pete Carroll can finally turn the Raiders’ fortunes around.

During OTAs, Crosby added to that sentiment during his media availability.

Crosby seems to be enjoying what Carroll brings to the Raiders early on.

“I would just say, it starts when you walk in the building, and I feel like Pete just does such a good job of creating a culture and an environment where you’re looking forward to being here,” Crosby responded to questions about how different the Raiders are under Carroll. “Like, we’re playing a kid’s game at the end of the day, but it’s also the most competitive environment, with a bunch of alpha males trying to take each other’s heads off at the same time.”

It is no surprise that Carroll is providing the type of environment Crosby describes.

Throughout his time at USC and with the Seattle Seahawks, Carroll has stressed a philosophy of always competing. That has lead to national championships and Super Bowl rings, creating one of the best coaching resumes of this century. However, as exemplified by the class he taught at USC during the offseason, Carroll continues to provide amazing energy, encouraging players to push themselves to be better.

“There’s a reason why there’s only .0001 percent of people that can do it, because it’s not normal. And Pete creates that culture, that energy, where everyone knows it’s hard. You’re going to work your a-- off, you’re going to put in all the work, but you’ve got a whole group and an organization of people that all got to be on the same wavelength and go in the same direction,” Crosby continued.

“That’s one of the hardest things you could do. That’s why there are only 32 [NFL] head coaching jobs in the world. But I think Pete just does an incredible job with that. He just makes it fun and enjoyable every day. You wake up in the morning, it’s 5:00 a.m. and I’m fired up and excited to be in the building and get after it with the guys.”

Crosby and the Raiders are buying in to what Carroll is doing, and the hope is that that translates to on-field success.