Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has spent years building a reputation as one of the NFL’s most authentic personalities. So when rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza shared on Crosby’s podcast that veteran Kirk Cousins told him the key to surviving in the league is simply being yourself, Crosby didn’t just nod along. He doubled down.
“If you’re not genuine, guys pick up on that real quick,” Crosby said on The Rush podcast, per Josh Alper of NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk. “College is different. You’re growing as a man, you’re trying to figure out who you are and evolve as a leader, and you’re still going to school. You’re just trying to figure out life and how to operate. But once you get to the league, everyone’s grown men. Dudes have full families. They have different types of motivations, and everyone’s coming from a different walk of life. So being genuine, you’ll never go wrong.”
Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Indiana, has never been shy about his personality. He was known in college for his quirky interviews, offbeat humor, and a general refusal to fit the quarterback mold. Some scouts wondered if that would translate poorly at the pro level. But early signs suggest the Raiders see it as an asset, not a liability.
Why Cousins is in Las Vegas
The Raiders signed Kirk Cousins in free agency specifically to be a mentor. At 37 years old and coming off an injury-shortened stint with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins isn’t here to be the long-term answer. He’s here to teach Mendoza how to read defenses, manage a huddle, and handle the media — all the stuff that doesn’t show up in a box score.
Mendoza recently revealed that Cousins’ biggest piece of advice to him so far was to stay genuine. And apparently it’s sticking. The rookie hasn’t changed up his personality at all since arriving in Las Vegas, continuing to crack jokes and keep things light in team meetings.
When will Mendoza start?
No one inside the building is saying when Mendoza will take over as the starter. Cousins will likely get the nod Week 1 if he’s healthy, but everyone understands the timeline. The Raiders didn’t draft a quarterback No. 1 overall to have him hold a clipboard for two years. They drafted him to be the face of the franchise. How fast that happens depends on how quickly Mendoza picks up the offense — and whether that genuine personality Crosby and Cousins both praise can hold up when things go wrong.
Because in the NFL, they will go wrong. And being yourself is easy when you’re winning. The real test comes after a three-interception loss.
Leave a Comment