The Las Vegas Raiders drafted a good group of rookies, and Maxx Crosby seems to approve of a few of them so far.
May 28, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) stretches during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It’s not often that Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby gives a long-winded, positive answer to a rookie. I vividly remember he said he didn’t like to do that when Jackson Powers-Johnson was drafted—he wants to see how the players work first and how badly they really want it.
I guess he’s seen enough of Fernando Mendoza, because there really hasn’t been a time when Crosby had as long an answer as he did when asked for his first impressions of Mendoza.
Maxx Crosby talks first impressions of Fernando Mendoza
“He’s an awesome kid,” Crosby told reporters on Wednesday. “Everyone knows his ability, what they’ve seen, especially this past season at Indiana. It couldn’t have been a better year for an individual player at the college level: winning the Heisman, winning the Natty, not losing a game, and having a game-winning touchdown in the national championship. Like, he checked every single box, but now you’re in the NFL, and you’re on ground zero.
“I think the most important thing when you’re a young guy coming into the league is realizing that… So, Fernando has been awesome. He has a great work ethic. Ultimately, he’s a competitor, and he’s learning and getting better every single day. So, I’m really excited for what he’s going to bring to this team, and you can already feel just his energy on a daily basis has been extremely consistent.”
#Raiders DE Maxx Crosby: “He’s an awesome kid. Everyone knows his ability. That’s what’s most important as a young guy: realizing you’re at ground zero now. He’s been awesome. He has a great work ethic. I had a lot of the young guys at the house to watch Game 7, and he was…
— Justin Churchill (@ChurchillAtoZ) June 3, 2026
Mendoza seems to be getting the hang of everything. At the same time, they are not just going to hand him the keys despite being the No. 1 pick. They need to make sure he’s ready, and he’s earned it. Because if he’s not, it could blow up in his face.
The way Crosby is talking, Mendoza is on the right path. We have also heard QB coach Mike Sullivan say he’s not there yet, but he’s getting there. These are the things Raiders fans should want to hear about their next franchise QB.
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