Will Maxx Crosby see a new tone from Raiders linebackers?

Yes—new free-agent linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are already shifting the Raiders’ defensive tone, and Maxx Crosby is all-in. Crosby has praised the Georgia duo’s energy and shared chemistry, while Dean’s green-dot command and Walker’s joint-practice interception signal real early gains.

Key Takeaways

• Maxx Crosby says Dean and Walker bring daily energy, confidence, and rare mid-career chemistry from Georgia.
• Nakobe Dean is running the defense with green-dot duties and has told coordinator Rob Leonard to leave the huddle.
• Quay Walker intercepted a Texans wheel route in the joint practice, showing the unit’s early playmaking.
• Both signed three-year deals the same free-agency day; Crosby calls having them behind him “special.”

Will the new Raiders linebackers change the tone of the defense?

That is the core question in the latest Raiders.com mailbag, and early camp answers lean yes. Dean and Walker have been training-camp bright spots, then faced a playoff-caliber Houston Texans offense in a joint practice—and delivered.

Walker jumped a wheel route for an interception and soaked in the boos from Texans fans. Dean, his former Georgia teammate, has clear command at middle linebacker with green-dot communication duties. “Just trying to demand the standard,” Dean said after that practice, calling linebackers “the heartbeat of a defense.”

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What has Maxx Crosby said about Dean and Walker?

On the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Maxx Crosby raved about the reunion. “Dogs, you know what I mean. Literally, Georgia Bulldogs. They’re awesome, bro,” Crosby said. “They bring the energy every single day. They bring a certain type of confidence that you feel when you’re out there.”

Both hit free agency this offseason. Dean signed a three-year, $36.03 million deal; Walker agreed to a three-year, $40.5 million contract the same day. They spent three seasons together in Athens on Georgia’s 2021 national championship defense, combining for 307 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles.

“Having two of those guys that have, like, actual experience playing together and both, like in the prime of their careers, I haven’t had that, you know, my whole career,” Crosby said. “Having two of those guys starting behind me, so I think it’s going to be special, and they have that leadership quality.” He later added, “They’re just different.”

How is Nakobe Dean embracing the leadership role?

Defensive end Maxx Crosby has long been the Raiders’ defensive alpha, but coordinators typically lean on a linebacker for the green dot—relaying calls, aligning the unit, and commanding the huddle. Dean filled that need early in camp under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.

Asked what stood out, Leonard replied: “Command. Confidence. ‘Robbie, get out of my huddle. I got it.’” He added that the leadership “feels good to have… at the MIKE linebacker.” Dean explained he wants teammates to hear how he makes calls and checks, not Leonard speaking for him in the huddle—especially with a new system and many new faces.

“You just got to hold everybody accountable,” Dean said, stressing knowing personnel and that nobody, including himself, is exempt from correction. Silver And Black Pride noted he never wore a captain’s ‘C’ with the Eagles but is positioned to take that kind of role in Las Vegas.

Who else is pushing the front seven?

Beyond the free-agent pair, Tommy Eichenberg continues to push for more reps and recorded a sack on Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud early in the joint-practice team period—another sign the second level is competing hard as camp rolls on.