Maxx Crosby turned Mike Vrabel’s coaching debut into a meme-worthy moment during the Raiders’ 20-13 victory over the Patriots, and Raiders’ fans are eating it up.
Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The star pass rusher was caught on camera making a crying emoji face gesture while the Patriots head coach was busy complaining to referees on the sideline. Raider Nation loved his mockery and called it true Raiders’ spirit on social media.
Raiders Fans Love How Maxx Crosby Channels Raider Spirit by Taunting Mike Vrabel
Crosby’s confidence was completely backed by the team’s raw performance to crush Vrabel’s coaching debut in New England. Their front seven held the Patriots to just 13 points and brought drives to a screeching halt.
The first-year coach seemed visibly frustrated as his team struggled to convert key third downs on Sunday, completing just 4 of 14. Costly penalties, including a 15-yard roughness call, crashed their play.
Meanwhile, Crosby,who wants him to improve as a leader, led the Raiders’ defense with aggressiveness, recording a sack and several quarterback disruptions that kept New England’s offense off balance.
I dare Maxx Crosby to do this to Mike Vrabel again. #Patriots #Raiders pic.twitter.com/IHNpvO8SRb
— Justin Trombino (@Trombino20) September 7, 2025
Plus, quarterback Geno Smith had racked up all 362 yards. So, his teammate made sure the Gillette Stadium crowd knew who owned the field. The viral taunting captured the Raiders’ aggressive attitude as they dominated their opponent on the road.
Raiders nation loved his attitude, quick to defend their defensive star and his antics.
Onewrote, “Maxx is the definition of a Raider.” A second escalated the defense with crude bravado,penning, “Or what, coward? He would do Mike like we did the pats but without any lube.”
Others simply enjoyed the entertainment value of seeing their pass rusher get under an opponent’s skin. A thirdnoted, “Hahaha, love this.” It continued with fans backing Crosby’s toughness, as a fourthnoted: “Maxx would destroy Vrabel, kid. What are you even talking about?”
Some fans took shots at Vrabel himself, with a fifth fandeliveringthe burn: “Vrabel is the pizza pocket version of Dan Campbell.” Another NFL fanrespondedsarcastically, “Damn, bro, you are so tough.”
The taunting incident wasn’t a random trash talk. The timing made it even more savage, showing Crosby’s ability to read the room and twist the knife when opponents are frustrated.
Maxx Crosby Smashes Milestone as Raiders Dominate Patriots
Entering his seventh season, Crosby is now among five players to record 60.0+ sacks since his NFL debut in 2019. The milestone it represented put him in the elite group that includes T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson, and Nick Bosa.
Crosby is also one of only five players in the #NFL to record 60.0+ sacks since his NFL debut in 2019 (T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson, Nick Bosa). https://t.co/lknlunpZd4
— Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) September 7, 2025
The 28-year-old ranks third in Raiders history with 60.5 career sacks, and his 364 total tackles are the most ever by a defensive lineman in their first six NFL seasons.
The year 2023 likely marked the beginning of his prime time when he registered career highs in total tackles (90), tackles for loss (23), and sacks (14.5). Since then, he has been showing no sign of slowing down, and now he is in the record book.