Getting Maxx Crosby back feels like picking up ‘another free-agent signing’

Klint Kubiak’s first foray into head coaching began with losing his team’s best defensive player — then getting him back.

The trade reversal by the Baltimore Ravens that returned pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Las Vegas Raiders has been discussed at great length; Crosby recommitted to the club and general manager John Spytek views the end result as meant to be.

Speaking with NFL Senior National Columnist Judy Battista on Sunday at the Annual League Meeting, Kubiak reinforced the narrative that everything is copacetic, even likening Crosby to another big name in Las Vegas’ loaded free-agent class.

“I think I’ve seen Maxx almost every day,” Kubiak said. “He’s in the building every day, he beats a lot of the coaches in there. A really impressive guy. Being a great player is really important to him. You can just tell by the way he shows up. I think John (Spytek) said this, but it’s kind of like he never left. I felt like we picked up another free-agent signing once we got him back from Baltimore. Really excited about him leading our defense.”

The first-year head coach also has no concerns over Crosby’s recovery timeline from offseason surgery to repair his meniscus, a procedure that perhaps contributed to Baltimore balking at finalizing the trade due to medical reasons.

“I know there’s gonna be a point in training camp where we’re going to get him back,” Kubiak said. “I’m not gonna get too much further into that. I think training camp, he’ll be back ready to roll. With the way that he works, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s ready earlier.”