Kevin Stefanski could unlock Las Vegas Raiders plan to keep $106.5m Maxx Crosby after end of season fury

Jan 8, 2026 - 18:45

The Las Vegas Raiders are on the hunt for a new head coach.

Having fired Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll after just one season – and less than a calendar year – all eyes are on who minority owner Tom Brady and the Raiders will appoint next.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field on November 16, 2025 — Coach Stefanski was fired from his job with the Browns after six seasons

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, exiled Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is among the names of leading candidates that are set to interview for the vacant HC role in Las Vegas.

Stefanski, along with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, will be interviewed on Thursday.

The Raiders are also expected to speak with Seattle Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak on Friday, whilst they have already met with Broncos quarterback coach and pass game coordinator Davis Webb on Wednesday.

Following his firing by the Browns on Monday, the in-demand Stefanski has already met with the New York Giants about their coaching vacancy, whilst he is also slated to meet with the Tennessee Titans over the weekend.

But the Raiders will ultimately be hoping that Stefanski chooses to join them – as long as the interview goes well.

In his six seasons with the Browns, he had a 45-56 regular season record, and guided Cleveland to two playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023.

He was also named the NFL Coach of the Year twice, and follows former Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta out of the organization as the second high-profile departure in as many months.

Potential Stefanski appointment could signal great news for Maxx Crosby

The Raiders finished the 2025 campaign under Carroll with a lowly 2-15 record, albeit this led them to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft with Heisman Trophy winning-quarterback Fernando Mendoza available.

But in a season full of disappointment, one of their – albeit very few – bright sparks of the season was another brilliant season from defensive end Maxx Crosby.

Despite battling injury through large parts of the campaign, the 28-year-old featured in 15 games, recording 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss and 20 QB hits, as well as the first interception of his career, which he returned for 19 yards.

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium — Quarterbacks hate to see Crosby coming

Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns runs on to the field for the game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 — Garrett broke the all-time single season sack record with Stefanski as his HC

However, after being shut down for the season with two games left to play, speculation grew over a fallout between the franchise and the five-time Pro Bowler, which resulted in Crosby leaving the team facility.

Crosby landed a $106.5 million extension back in March, which at the time, made him the highest-paid non-QB, before Browns superstar Myles Garrett penned a more lucrative four-year, $160 million deal just a few days later.

Of course, Garrett has worked with Stefanski for the past six seasons – under whom he has received six of his seven career Pro Bowl honors.

In the 2025 season, Garrett broke the NFL’s single-season record for the most sacks, recording 23 in total, surpassing the record set by Michael Strahan in 2001.

Under Stefanski in 2025, despite a 5-12 season record, the Browns defense ranked third in the league in passing yards allowed (167.2 YPG) and fourth in total yards per game (283.6 YPG).

With the Raiders defense allowing the ninth-most points per game last season (25.4 PTS/G), and the Browns allowing just 22.3 PTS/G, Stefanski has shown what he can do with a defense.

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 8, 2024 in Tampa, Florida — The Raiders were able to sign star DE Maxx Crosby to an extension, but tension has risen between him and the franchise of late

He has also shown that he can take a player such as that of Garrett’s caliber to an entirely new stratosphere.

It is no secret that Brady and the Raiders want to establish a winning culture of football.

Perhaps Stefanski could be the catalyst to do just that, which could yet ultimately convince Crosby to stay in the Sin City.

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