Richie Incognito Fires Back at Aqib Talib Over Maxx Crosby Criticism
There’s been some serious heat in NFL circles this week, and at the center of it all is Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby. The conversation started when former Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib decided to take a few shots—not just at Crosby’s game—but also at Raiders fans in general. And needless to say, it didn’t sit well with everyone, especially former Raiders offensive lineman Richie Incognito.
Now, here’s how it all unfolded. On an episode of The Arena: Gridiron , Talib criticized Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons for his struggles against the run. But that conversation quickly turned toward Crosby, as Talib questioned his effectiveness against the run game too. Talib pointed out that the Jaguars had piled up around 150 rushing yards against the Raiders and bluntly asked, “What did Crosby do? Why we pay Crosby if he can’t stop the run?” He even dismissed the stats, saying, “Forget his numbers. He ain’t stopping the run.”
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That’s when Richie Incognito jumped in and didn’t hold back. He fired back at Talib by pulling up Crosby’s actual numbers from that game—three solo tackles, one assisted, one sack, and three tackles for loss. Incognito argued that those are the numbers of a player who shows up every single week, no matter how bad the team’s overall performance might be. He went on to say that unlike some other top players who disappear for stretches, Crosby is consistent—even when the Raiders are struggling.
What’s really interesting is that the stats back Incognito’s argument. According to ESPN, Crosby leads the entire NFL with a 38% run stop win rate this season—meaning he’s literally the top run defender in football right now. On top of that, he’s third in the league in tackles for loss, showing that he’s impacting plays well beyond just sacking quarterbacks.
Even the Broncos’ own offensive coordinator, Joe Lombardi, gave Crosby high praise ahead of their upcoming Week 10 matchup. Lombardi called him a “phenom” and said what really makes Crosby special isn’t just his talent, but his relentless motor. “Every single play, it’s all out,” Lombardi said. “He’s disruptive, he’s everywhere, and he never takes a snap off.”
Meanwhile, Talib also stirred up some tension with Raider Nation by calling their fan base “the craziest in the league.” He recalled being heckled and even having bottles thrown at him during games against the Raiders. Clearly, there’s no love lost between Talib and the silver-and-black faithful.
But when it comes to Maxx Crosby, one thing’s for sure—he doesn’t need to defend himself with words. His play on the field continues to speak louder than any debate on TV. Whether it’s sacks, tackles for loss, or pure hustle, Crosby has cemented himself as one of the most dominant defensive forces in today’s NFL.
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