Maxx Crosby’s “Hothead” Tag Sets the Tone for Raiders-Dolphins Week 1 Clash

The Las Vegas Raiders host the Miami Dolphins in their 2026 season opener at Allegiant Stadium. Ahead of the game, Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul called Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby a “hothead” and said the Dolphins’ primary goal is to “get him off his game.” The remark revives the rivalry that intensified after a proposed trade to the Baltimore Ravens collapsed earlier in the offseason.

NBC Sports

• Injury status: Crosby missed the 2024 season with a torn meniscus but entered the 2026 preseason fully healed, posting a 79.7 PFF defensive grade, 53 pressures, 10 sacks, 31 hurries and 12 QB hits the prior year.

Heavy

• Team stakes: The Raiders finished 3-14 in 2025, while the Dolphins were 7-10. Both clubs are rebuilding under new head coaches—Klint Kubiak (Raiders) and Jeff Hafley (Dolphins).

Sports Illustrated

• “I feel like, yeah, he's a hothead,” — Patrick Paul

Newsweek

• Jeff Hafley warned his defense to always know Crosby’s location: “You better know where he is.”

Jeff Hafley Ready to “Let It Rip” as Dolphins Prepare for Week 1

• Klint Kubiak said practice intensity remains unchanged despite a new opponent.

Sports Illustrated

• John Spytek said the organization expects improvement in “every room.”

Sports Illustrated

• Aaron Brewer called Crosby “one of the elite rushers in the league.”

Heavy

• Crosby’s career production: 69.5 sacks over seven seasons, the sixth-most since 2019.

Newsweek

• 2025 season metrics: 10 sacks, 53 pressures, 31 hurries, 12 QB hits, and a 79.7 PFF grade.

Heavy

• Dolphins offensive line: New left tackle Patrick Paul (2024 second-round pick) will be tasked with containing Crosby and protecting rookie quarterback Malik Willis.

Newsweek

• Injury description: Newsweek and NBC Sports cite a “meniscus tear,” while Heavy describes a “degenerative knee issue.” Both are attributed to team officials, leaving the precise diagnosis unclear.

Sports Illustrated

• Trade timeline: Sources confirm the trade collapsed earlier in the year but do not provide a specific date.

Newsweek

• “I feel like, yeah, he's a hothead,” — Patrick Paul

Newsweek

• “Absolutely, practice changes. There's more team periods. We still do a lot of competitive periods every day, but as far as the intensity of practice and our expectations, those don't change. You just have a narrowed focus on a new opponent,” — Klint Kubiak

Sports Illustrated

• “We're always constantly trying to get every room better, and I know Klint [Kubiak] told you guys a week or two ago that more is expected, but I would say every room more is expected,” — John Spytek

Sports Illustrated

• “You have to acknowledge a great player when it’s a great player, and he’s one of the elite rushers in the league,” — Aaron Brewer

Heavy

• “I think it’s both, but you better know where he is,” — Jeff Hafley

Heavy

Crosby’s reputation as a high-motor edge rusher makes him a focal point for both teams. Neutralizing him could limit the Raiders’ pressure on Malik Willis; a strong Crosby performance could tilt the line-of-scrimmage battle in Las Vegas’ favor and shape the Raiders’ defensive identity.

Sports Illustrated

The Raiders and Dolphins meet on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET for the season opener. Both coaching staffs say the game will serve as a litmus test for new schemes and player development, with particular attention on Crosby’s impact and the Dolphins’ “free and fearless” philosophy.

NBC Sports