Maxx Crosby says he will always care about Kirk Cousins, even though the two Raiders teammates had a heated confrontation during training camp. In a recent interview, the defensive end recalled that the incident quickly became a source of laughter between them—despite the much bigger story it became outside the locker room.
“I’ll love Kirk Cousins till the day I’m off this planet,” Crosby said. Asked about a favorite memory with Cousins, he pointed to the practice altercation and the reaction it drew.
“We were literally in the locker room laughing about it [afterward],” Crosby said. “The whole world is making it like we hate each other, and I’m an a——e because I went after Kirk because he’s an older guy, and all this stuff. It’s on ESPN, and we’re like, bro, how does this happen? But that’s the world we live in.”
Crosby said neither player viewed the incident as a serious personal dispute. “We both laughed it off, and it really wasn’t nothing. Nobody threw a punch,” he said. “He got pissed because I hit him, and he was screaming at me, and I’m like, ‘What the f—?’ It really was as simple as that.”
He also praised Cousins’ approach to the game, describing him as someone who helped keep the environment enjoyable while remaining focused. “He kept everything fun, but he was all business. He was like the ultimate professional,” Crosby said.
The confrontation took place on August 7 during a team drill. Crosby hit Cousins’ throwing arm twice. After the second hit, Cousins confronted him, grabbed his jersey and exchanged words with him until teammates stepped in to separate them.
Cousins went on to finish the drive, while Crosby was sent to the sideline. Before training camp, Crosby had said that coaches warned him about making contact with the quarterback—a recurring issue during his career.
First-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak initially played down the clash, calling it part of the intensity of camp while stressing that the players needed to be mindful of game rules.
“Those are two leaders of our team going at it, so that is part of camp,” Kubiak said. “Obviously, if you fight in a game and throw a punch in game, then you’re out of the game. So we’ve got to be smart and treat it like a game.”
The team still imposed a consequence: both players were kept out of team periods the following day for disciplinary reasons. That gave Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, his first opportunity to run the first-team offense during camp.
## Cousins heads back to Minnesota
Cousins’ time in Las Vegas ended on November 10, when the Vikings acquired the 38-year-old quarterback for a 2027 third-round pick. His departure had been anticipated, as the Raiders had brought him in to lead the team while Mendoza adjusted to the NFL and to help keep the club competitive.
Cousins delivered substantial production during his nine games with Las Vegas, throwing for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Raiders went 4-5 in those games, and the offense averaged 26.4 points. Cousins ranked fifth in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns.
Raiders general manager John Spytek said the decision to move on was difficult but reflected the organization’s view of its future.
“This was a hard decision, but we felt like we made the best decision for the Raiders going forward,” Spytek said.
For Cousins, the trade brings him back to a familiar place. He played for Minnesota from 2018 through 2023 and will reunite with head coach Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings have been averaging 18.4 points and 266.8 yards per game, and Cousins could provide a boost as the team looks for more stability at quarterback.
Minnesota’s options have been limited. Kyler Murray, whom the Vikings signed this year, is dealing with a hamstring injury. Backup Carson Wentz has also been underperforming, while J.J. McCarthy has been traded to the New York Giants, where he is having a strong run.
If Cousins is ready to play, he could face the Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
His departure also creates an opening for Mendoza in Las Vegas. The rookie is set to start Sunday against the Seahawks, despite having attempted only eight passes this season. Cousins’ performance made the transition notable: he had produced far more than a temporary starter might be expected to, even as many viewed his role as holding the position until Mendoza was ready.
For Crosby, though, the practice clash is no longer a sign of lasting tension. He remembers it as a brief disagreement between teammates—one that the two were able to laugh about afterward.
