Maxx Crosby made a name with the Las Vegas Raiders by getting quarterbacks on the ground. His national acclaim rose as he continued to do so over the course of his soon-to-be seven-year career.
However, aside from quarterbacks, Crosby is at an age where players hit their ceiling. In other words, they are who they are.
Can you teach an old dog new tricks? That’s essentially what was asked of Crosby on the preseason broadcast of the Raiders-49ers showdown. Speaking in a sideline interview with the commentators after wrapping his on-field work against the San Francisco 49ers, Crosby was asked point-blank if he could kick field goals for the Raiders if needed.
“No, I’m not a kicker,” Crosby said simply, laughing at the idea.
Daniel Carlson is slated to enter his eighth full season with the Raiders, and it’s clear that he’s Plan A. However, Crosby’s declaration rules him out of being Plan Z.
It is not unheard of to have a player kick a field goal other than a kicker in dire circumstances (one example being Texans RB Dare Ogunbowale in 2023). Still, if the Raiders have to go in that direction, they won’t be using their biggest star.
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In his career, Carlson has made 203 of 232 kicks (87.5%), completing at least 90% of his kicks in four seasons. Most recently, in 2024, he completed 34 of 40 kicks for 85%.
While Carlson appears to be secure for 2025, there is at least some reason for concern.
Maxx Crosby-less Raiders Kicking Situation Teeters in Unsightly Direction
The tough-as-nails Carlson hit remarkable highs in 2020, making 94.3% of his kicks. However, he has taken a noticeable step back every season since. In every season, his make percentage has been smaller than the one before it.
Now in the mid-80s, the pressure is building for the kicker to reverse the trend, as a continuing dip can only go so far before it starts to hurt Crosby’s Raiders.
That said, he has managed to dip only a few percentage points per season, which means the Raiders have time. Carlson, age 30, is still young enough to be able to tweak his technique and reverse course. Hopefully, for the team, it can be one extra benefit to bringing Pete Carroll and Geno Smith aboard.
If they can get Carlson closer to the posts, his percentage has a much higher chance of going up.