The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled significantly in recent years, winning only 18 games over the last three seasons, placing them near the bottom of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL. Despite this, star edge rusher Maxx Crosby remains optimistic about the Raiders’ potential, drawing parallels with the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, who recently transformed from one of the worst teams into champions. Crosby sees hope for a similar turnaround in the Raiders’ fortunes.
Crosby said,
“We just saw it in the NBA: OKC, just a couple years ago, was one of the worst teams in the league,”
and added,
“But they had a lot of young guys, they trusted the process, they developed and now they’re the world champions. We’re trying to win. I want to win so badly. I put everything into it. I want everybody else to think like that. And that’s been my goal, just bringing as many guys along as I possibly can.”
—Maxx Crosby, Edge Rusher
How the Oklahoma City Thunder Turned Their Season Around
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s rise has been impressive. They posted records of 22-50 and 24-58 in 2021 and 2022, respectively, which were among the NBA’s worst. Yet, by 2023, they improved to 40-42, reaching the play-in tournament. The last two seasons showed even more growth; in 2024, they secured the top seed in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record, followed by a historic 68-14 record in 2025. That season included the best point differential in NBA history and culminated in their first championship, led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a strong defense.
Challenges the Raiders Face Compared to the Thunder’s Lineup
While Crosby looks to the Thunder’s success as a blueprint, the Raiders face a more difficult path. The Thunder’s roster going into their championship season was packed with young talent and All-Star caliber players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. Their depth included high-level contributors such as Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Cason Wallace, making them one of the NBA’s deepest teams and a formidable playoff contender.
In contrast, the Raiders’ talent pool and team context do not match that level. Although quarterback Geno Smith is a solid player, he is closer to league average than an MVP-caliber star. The Raiders’ hopes hinge partly on running back Ashton Jeanty, but running backs typically have less impact on sustained NFL success compared to superstar players in the NBA. Their team context remains weak, making any swift climb in competitiveness a steep challenge.
Raiders’ Difficult Road Ahead in a Competitive Division
The Raiders currently compete in the AFC West, a division dominated by perennial winners like the Kansas City Chiefs, along with playoff contenders such as the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. This means six of their games are against tough division rivals. Additionally, they face four games against the NFC East and a schedule that includes the AFC South, which offers little relief in the form of easier opponents. Such a tough schedule further compounds the difficulty of a dramatic turnaround this season.
Expectations and the Reality of What It Takes to Turn Around
The Raiders are entering the season with low expectations, reflected in the betting odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, where their over/under win total is just 5.5. They sit at +310 odds to make the playoffs and +10000 to win the Super Bowl, both among the league’s worst. This positions the Raiders similarly to the 2022 Thunder team, which won 24 games and was not expected to contend.
While the Thunder’s leap in 2023 surprised many, the Raiders need an equally remarkable step forward just to challenge for a playoff spot. Geno Smith, soon entering his mid-30s, may be past his prime, which puts additional urgency on the Raiders to improve quickly or risk rebuilding again rather than contending for a Lombardi Trophy.
The Significance of Crosby’s Optimism for the Raiders’ Future
Crosby’s desire to inspire his teammates and foster a winning culture reflects a critical mindset change the Raiders must embrace. His belief in trusting the process and developing talent mirrors the Thunder’s approach that led to their eventual success. Although immediate prospects for the Raiders to become one of the NFL’s elite teams appear slim, Crosby’s leadership could help the team make gradual progress and push toward competitiveness in an unforgiving division.
Ultimately, the Raiders’ ability to convert their potential into wins will determine whether their turnaround resembles the Thunder’s unlikely championship run, or if they remain mired in rebuilding phases for years to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What addiction did Maxx Crosby have?
A. Crosby remembers that he drank a lot during his high school and college days. However, because his family had a history of alcohol use, he realized he had an issue.
Q. Is Maxx Crosby’s wife?
A. Maxx Crosby is married to Rachel Crosby, whose maiden name was Washburn.
Q. What was Maxx Crosby’s addiction?
A. Maxx Crosby started struggling with alcohol during high school in Colleyville, Texas. His drinking problem worsened in college at Eastern Michigan University, where he turned to alcohol to deal with stress. Addiction issues were also common in Crosby’s family.
Q. Who is Maxx Crosby’s wife?
A. Maxx Crosby’s wife is named Rachel Crosby, formerly Rachel Washburn. They met in college in 2016 and started out as friends.