The "heart" behind Raiders' incredible turnaround isn't Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza or Klint Kubiak

What the Las Vegas Raiders are currently doing is almost unprecedented. With a new, first-time head coach and a new quarterback, the Raiders have started the 2026 season with a 3-0 record. And this comes right after they used the first overall pick on Fernando Mendoza in April.

According to CBS Sports , the Raiders are: the second team in NFL history to start 3-0 after two straight 13-loss seasons; the third team in 20 years to start 3-0 after winning three games or fewer the season prior; and the fourth team since 1967 to start 3-0 after picking first overall in the previous draft .

Many will logically point to Klint Kubiak and/or Kirk Cousins as the driving forces behind the incredible turnaround. They have absolutely been paramount in it, but there's another player who is being considered the heart and soul of the team: Maxx Crosby .

Maxx Crosby is the driving force at the center of Las Vegas Raiders turnaround

Cris Collinsworth recently explained why Crosby's "heart and character" has played such a crucial role in the team's outstanding start . It's not just his on-field plays that are impacting Raiders games.

Who plays the hardest? Who does it mean the most to? It's as much about heart and character as it is talent, and I'll believe that to my dying days.

It wasn't too long ago that Crosby wasn't even going to be a Raiders player. He was set to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason, before it fell through due to medical concerns.

As it turns out, Crosby and the Raiders needed each other. And now they're reaping the rewards of their partnership.