Maxx Crosby’s sideline hip-thrust warmup draws viral reaction during Raiders’ loss

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby drew widespread attention for an unconventional pregame warmup that was captured on national television during Monday Night Football and circulated widely on social media.

The clip showed Crosby seated on the sideline before lying on his back and repeatedly thrusting his hips into the air while teammates and game operations continued behind him. The sequence was visible in an ESPN triple-box shot as the Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers completed pregame preparations ahead of their Week 2 matchup.

Reaction on social platforms was immediate. Some viewers posted amusement and disbelief, with one user writing, "That was insane," and another, "I'm f---ing crying bro." Others used the clip to criticize the Raiders organization or to question the efficacy of Crosby's routine, and a few fans blamed sideline activity for the team's on-field struggles.

Whatever the intent of the warmup, Crosby’s sideline routine did not translate into standout statistical production on Monday. The Raiders lost 20-9 to the Chargers, and Crosby did not register a quarterback hit. He finished the game with five total tackles and one tackle for loss. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith threw three interceptions in the contest.

Crosby, a three-time Pro Bowler and a key figure in Las Vegas’s pass rush plans, regularly garners attention for his energetic playing style and sideline presence. Coaches and players often employ individualized stretching and activation drills before games; medical and strength-and-conditioning staff tailor routines to players’ needs. The footage prompted discussion about whether such routines are standard preparatory work or simply idiosyncratic behavior.

The viral clip circulated as the Raiders attempt to find consistency early in the season. Las Vegas entered Week 2 hopeful of building momentum, but the loss to an AFC West rival underscored lingering questions about the team's cohesion on both sides of the ball. Critics seized on pregame optics as one element of the broader narrative surrounding the team’s slow start.

Crosby’s pregame movements quickly became part of the postgame conversation, though neither he nor the team offered an immediate public explanation for the warmup. The clip reflects the increasing scrutiny of player behavior in the era of constant broadcast coverage, where moments captured during warmups or on the bench can generate as much attention as in-game plays.

The Raiders are scheduled to continue their regular-season slate next week, giving Crosby and the team an opportunity to move past Monday’s headlines and results. For now, the image of the veteran pass rusher performing an unusual pregame exercise remains a viral footnote to Las Vegas’s Week 2 defeat.