Patrick Paul Calls Maxx Crosby a ‘Hothead’ Ahead of Dolphins-Raiders
Miami Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul isn’t backing down from one of the biggest challenges he will face all season.
When the Dolphins travel to Las Vegas to open the 2026 season against the Raiders, Paul and Miami’s offensive line will have the unenviable task of trying to contain Maxx Crosby, one of the NFL’s premier defensive players.
And Paul already has a plan.
Get Crosby off his game.
“He’s a dynamic player,” Paul said. “So with him, just beating him to a spot, getting your hands on him, getting him off his game.”
Paul knows there is no simple solution for dealing with Crosby. The Raiders star combines talent, effort and an aggressive mentality that can wreck an offensive game plan.
But Paul believes that same emotion could potentially be used against him.
“I feel like he’s a hothead,” Paul said. “So a lot of those things, you could get into his game with that.”
That comment will undoubtedly attract attention heading into Sunday’s matchup, but Paul’s complete answer was far from disrespectful.
In fact, Paul repeatedly praised Crosby.
“He’s a great player,” Paul said. “You’ve just got to stay on it all four quarters really with him.”
Patrick Paul Wants to Match Crosby’s Aggressiveness
Crosby plays with a relentless motor, and Paul knows Miami cannot allow him to establish a rhythm.
“He likes to play with a lot of swagger,” Paul said.
Paul believes one of the keys will be beating Crosby to his spots, getting hands on him early and being aggressive rather than allowing Crosby to dictate the matchup.
That could make the battle between Crosby and Miami’s offensive tackles one of the most fascinating matchups of the season opener.
Paul isn’t exactly someone who will shy away from a physical or emotional battle, either.
The 6-foot-7, 325-pound tackle enters his third NFL season with significantly more responsibility. Not only is he protecting Malik Willis‘ blind side, but his teammates recently voted him one of Miami’s six captains.
Now he gets an immediate opportunity to prove himself against one of the best defensive players in football.
Miami Knows What Happens When Crosby Loses His Cool
There is also some history between Crosby and the Dolphins.
During Miami’s 34-19 victory over Las Vegas in 2024, Crosby was flagged for unnecessary roughness after taking a swipe at Dolphins offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg.
Afterward, Eichenberg acknowledged that Crosby could be aggravated.
That history makes Paul’s “hothead” comment particularly interesting.
Could Miami attempt to frustrate Crosby again?
Perhaps.
But attempting to irritate Crosby isn’t much of a strategy if Miami can’t block him first.
And Paul clearly understands that.
The majority of his comments weren’t about trash talk. They were about technique — beating Crosby to a spot, getting hands on him, moving him off his landmarks and preventing him from taking over the game.
Bobby Slowik Has the Same Concern
Paul isn’t the only person in the Dolphins organization emphasizing how dangerous Crosby can be.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik also had plenty to say about Crosby this week, calling him an elite player and emphasizing that every Miami player needs to know where No. 98 is on every snap.
Slowik was particularly complimentary of Crosby’s ability against the run, making it clear Miami can’t simply focus on keeping him away from Willis in obvious passing situations.
Crosby can disrupt everything.
That’s why Miami’s offensive line must be aware of him from the opening snap until the final whistle.
And that’s exactly what Paul meant when he said the Dolphins have to “stay on it all four quarters.”
A Huge Week 1 Test for Patrick Paul
For all the attention Paul’s “hothead” comment will receive, the more important story is the challenge awaiting Miami’s young left tackle.
Paul has emerged as one of the building blocks of the Dolphins’ new era. Being selected as a captain at just 24 years old demonstrates how highly his teammates already regard him.
But Sunday provides a different type of test.
If Paul wants to establish himself as one of the NFL’s better young offensive tackles, holding his own against Crosby would certainly get people’s attention.
Crosby is going to make plays. Players of his caliber almost always do.
The goal is preventing those plays from taking over the game.
Paul seems to understand that perfectly.
Respect Crosby.
Match his physicality.
Get your hands on him.
Don’t allow him to settle into a rhythm.
And if there’s an opportunity to get the “hothead” off his game?
Paul doesn’t sound opposed to trying that, either.
