Training camp creates high tension among players. It’s not uncommon to see fights break out as every player aims to make a name for himself. However, it’s unusual for the focal point of a fight to be between two captains. Kirk Cousins is the commander of the Las Vegas Raiders‘ offense, and Maxx Crosby is the face of the entire franchise.
As a result, both players were not allowed to practice on Saturday.
Beyond hiring an offensive mastermind in head coach Klint Kubiak, Las Vegas also hired a man with strict values. More importantly, Kubiak believes nobody is bigger than the shield. The starting quarterback and the head coach share a history together, which is nothing new in Sin City. By comparison, Pete Carroll would not have handled this altercation the same way.
Kubiak is slowly showing that this head coaching hire will be different.
Pete Carroll coddling Geno Smith’s middle finger to Raider Nation…
After leading the NFL in interceptions, the former Raiders starting quarterback grew frustrated with fans’ reactions. He flipped off fans as he ran to the tunnel in Week 12 of the 2025 season, when Las Vegas fell 24-10 to the Cleveland Browns in Shedeur Sanders’ first career start. Smith later apologized for his actions in a post-practice news conference.
“I just got to hold myself to a higher standard and in that moment I didn’t,” Smith said. “I just want to make it known that those things will never happen from me again.”
At the time, Kenny Pickett was the backup quarterback in Las Vegas. The Raiders had traded away draft capital to acquire Pickett, yet never gave him a real opportunity to play. Not once did Carroll consider benching Smith despite his struggles on and off the field.
This was one of many examples of the head coach showing more loyalty to personal relationships than to the team.
Related: Raiders defenders give insight into an evolving unit
Josh McDaniels’s loyalty to the Patriots?
Before returning to the Patriots as offensive coordinator (again), McDaniels had a short stint with the Silver and Black. That stint was defined by the head coach’s tendency to sign former Patriots players. In fact, 12 notable players were signed after being part of the Patriots.
Among them were Jarrett Stidham, Jermaine Eluemunor and Jakob Johnson, none of whom remain with the franchise in 2026. McDaniels also signed former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
That decision cost Las Vegas a shot at Lamar Jackson and potentially C.J. Stroud. McDaniels’ loyalty to his former team ultimately contributed to the collapse of the 2025 Raiders.
These two former Raiders head coaches did not pan out because they weren’t loyal to the franchise. Kubiak, in contrast, has shown once again that he was the right hire as head coach.
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Nah. This is making raiders culture weak and soft. Iron sharpens iron. You need high effort, high energy, and high toughness to succeed in this league. The ones that should be disciplined are their o-line. You think a real game is gonna be gentlemanly and soft on Kirk? Grow a pair of b. Tom Brady knows this. Raiders aren’t ready. This is a joke. This sets a standard to all other players to “hold back, and play nice”…that’s a loser mentality, and you ain’t gonna fully develop better as players
Spot on. Carroll was a bag of hot air.
Leadership matters. Madden had a standard. Just because he was loose in some areas where others were ultra conservative doesnt mean he didnt hold players accountable. Effort and attitude were non negotiable. Cousins and Crosby are the best players, but no one is above the Shield. The fact that it was the two captains makes it impactful.
This was Year One KK laying down the law for creating the culture he wants. Thats what this season is about primarily. Laying a foundation that will be used as a springboard for winning. Great lesson in leading through setting standards.
Spot on!