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31 minutes ago
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Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Reveals Why He Joined Raiders
Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Reveals Why He Joined Raiders originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders made several major changes during the 2025 NFL offseason. This was because the team brought in new leadership in the form of general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll. Advertisement While the move to hire these two was praised around the league, several of the decisions that Spytek and Carroll made during free agency were met with skepticism from Raider Nation. Perhaps the most scrutinized choice was letting linebackers Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo find new homes and replacing them with cheap veterans like Elandon Roberts and Devin White. Both signed one-year deals with little-to-no guaranteed money. New Las Vegas Raiders LB Elandon Roberts (50).Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Roberts is a nine-year NFL veteran who won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots in the the mid-2010s. He racked up 206 tackles and 4.0 sacks during his four-year stint with the Patriots before making stops with the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Advertisement After two years with the Steelers, Roberts opted to join Las Vegas on a $3 million deal in March. On Tuesday, he was a guest on an episode of "The Rush With Maxx Crosby" and spoke about his decision to join the Raiders this offseason. "When I got that phone call to come to the Raiders and knowing what's being built, I was just like 'Yeah, no lie … I'm back feeling young,' Roberts said. 'Even in free agency, that's literally why I came to Vegas. Yeah I want to win a Super Bowl." Roberts has 13 playoff games under his belt and has 53 postseason tackles to his name. This kind of winning pedigree and experience will be pivotal to a Raiders team that is trying to find their footing in a brutal AFC conference. Advertisement All told, Roberts has over 600 career tackles in the NFL, 54 of which were for a loss. He has also tacked on 14.5 sacks, 12 passes defended, five forced fumbles and an 85-yard interception returned for a touchdown, which, coincidentally, came against Las Vegas in 2021. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will, once again, have to teach a new linebacker how to operate in his defense. However, based on Roberts' NFL success and Graham's track record of getting the most out of his players, this should be a great pairing for the Silver and Black during the 2025 season. Related: Raiders Veteran LB Praises North Carolina Coach Bill Belichick Related: Maxx Crosby Casts Doubt on Travis Hunter's Two-Way Chances This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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a day ago
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Travis Hunter Faces Criticism Over Play Before NFL Season
Travis Hunter Faces Criticism Over Play Before NFL Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby didn't mince words when asked about Travis Hunter's unprecedented potential to play both sides of the ball in the NFL. While he respects the former Colorado Buffaloes phenom's skills, Crosby isn't convinced the Jacksonville Jaguars will actually unleash him that way. Advertisement 'Yeah, that's a different animal bro,' Crosby said on The Rush With Maxx Crosby. 'We're in the NFL, I don't think coaches are stupid. What I mean is, they're going to do their best to protect their asset.' It's a calculated opinion, and one that hits home for Colorado fans dreaming of seeing Hunter redefine the pro game the same way he shook up the college landscape. Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, stunned the sports world by excelling as both a lockdown cornerback and a game-breaking wide receiver at Colorado under Deion Sanders. In 2024, he posted 1,258 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and tallied 4 interceptions with 11 pass breakups on defense. Advertisement But the NFL isn't the Big 12. And Crosby, a three-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL with 23 tackles for loss in 2024, knows what it takes to survive in a league where physical tolls add up fast. 'It's a business at the end of the day,' Crosby added. 'You gotta have him out there for a duration of a whole season, so it'll be interesting.' Jacksonville is investing $46.6 million over four years in Hunter, with most of that money riding on his availability. With NFL offenses and defenses more specialized and more violent than ever, few believe a two-way star can stay healthy for a full 17-game season, let alone perform at an elite level. But if anyone can challenge that norm, it's Hunter. He played over 110 snaps in multiple games last fall and rarely looked fatigued. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has repeatedly said Hunter is 'built different,' and those close to the program believe his competitive edge and elite athleticism give him a real shot. Advertisement The Jaguars have yet to confirm exactly how they'll deploy Hunter. Early reports suggest he'll start at corner but could see limited packages on offense. Still, fans in Boulder and beyond are hoping the NFL's play-it-safe mentality doesn't hold back one of the most electrifying talents to enter the league in a generation. As for Crosby, his skepticism isn't hate, it's hard-earned wisdom. And in a league defined by durability, his words are a reality check. But Travis Hunter has made a career out of doing what others thought impossible. Related: NFL Great Takes Shot at Teams While Defending Shedeur Sanders Related: Famed Lawyer Offers Shedeur Sanders and Others One Deal Travis Hunter Refused This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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Maxx Crosby Casts Doubt on Travis Hunter's Two-Way Chances
Maxx Crosby Casts Doubt on Travis Hunter's Two-Way Chances originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders signed All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby to a record-breaking contract extension this offseason. The deal was for three years and worth up to $106.5 million, which was the highest annual salary given to a non-quarterback at the time. Advertisement Crosby and the defense held up their end of the deal during the Raiders' four-win campaign in 2024, but the offense ranked 29th in scoring, which plagued the entire team. Fortunately, the Raiders landed Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the 2025 NFL Draft to help out their league-worst rushing attack, which averaged 79.8 yards per game in 2024. Jacksonville Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter (12).Travis Register-Imagn Images Las Vegas also needed a massive upgrade at both wide receiver and cornerback heading into the draft, and former Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter would have been the perfect fit. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to the No. 2 pick in order to select him. Advertisement Much has been made since the draft about whether Hunter's prowess on both sides of the football will be utilized at the NFL level. On Tuesday's episode of "The Rush With Maxx Crosby," the Raiders' star defensive end talked about why the Jaguars may limit the rookie to one side of the ball. "Yeah, that's a different animal bro," Crosby said. "We're in the NFL, I don't think coaches are stupid. What I mean is, they're going to do their best to protect their asset. It's a business at the end of the day, you gotta have him out there for a duration of a whole season, so it'll be interesting." Crosby's doubt is not reflective of how he feels about Hunter, but more-so about the nature of the NFL and how playing both sides in a game could theoretically open up the rookie to twice as many injuries. The Jaguars are paying Hunter $46.6 million over the next four years, so they need him to be on the field as much as possible. Advertisement Time will tell if the Jaguars intend on playing Hunter both ways, but it's safe to say that Raiders star Maxx Crosby has his doubts that Jacksonville will do so. Related: Raiders Veteran LB Praises North Carolina Coach Bill Belichick Related: Broncos Cut Ties With Former Raiders TE After Failed Physical This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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Raiders Veteran LB Praises North Carolina Coach Bill Belichick
Raiders Veteran LB Praises North Carolina Coach Bill Belichick originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders have been largely praised this offseason for the decisions they made under new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek. However, they were not absolved of criticism, especially as it pertains to the linebacker room. Advertisement Spytek let veterans Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo leave in free agency without a contract, which was met with uncertainty from the fan base. However, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has made a living by developing linebackers in recent years. Veteran Elandon Roberts, who the team signed to a one-year deal worth $3 million this offseason, is expected to be the Raiders' starting middle linebacker in 2025. Las Vegas Raiders LB Elandon Roberts (50).Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Roberts has played nine NFL seasons, including four with the New England Patriots. There, he won two Super Bowls under head coach Bill Belichick and alongside Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. Advertisement On Tuesday, Roberts was a guest on "The Rush With Maxx Crosby," and was asked about how he thought his former coach would fair at North Carolina this season. He had nothing but positive things to say about Belichick ahead of his first year in the college ranks. "Man, believe it or not, I think he'll do straight,' Roberts said. 'Bill not like, an awkward guy as he was when he was coach of the New England Patriots. … He's very with the military background and stuff like that, very structured guy, … One thing I know he knows how to do is develop.' Through nine NFL seasons, Roberts has compiled 604 career tackles, including 54 for a loss, as well as 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He also has an interception returned for a touchdown on his resume, which came in 2021 against Derek Carr and the Raiders. Advertisement Las Vegas will need a linebacker to step up alongside Roberts this season if the defense wants to reach its full potential. Veterans Devin White and Jaylon Smith are in the running, as well as seventh-round rookie Cody Lindenberg. Related: Geno Smith Delivers Clear Maxx Crosby Statement at Raiders OTAs Related: Greg Olsen Sends Strong Message on Raiders' TE Brock Bowers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
