One of the sneaky important decisions the Las Vegas Raiders need to make this offseason is regarding defensive Malcolm Koonce. He had a breakout season in 2023 with 8.0 sacks and was supposed to be a key player watch in 2024.
However, his season ended before it started as he suffered a knee injury prior to Week 1. He's now set to be a free agent and it's difficult to know what to do with him. The Raiders would almost certainly like him back but another team could bet on his potential and offer him a big payday.
If it was up to star defensive end Maxx Crosby, he'd be happy to bring back Koonce. He's very high on the young pass rusher.
Las Vegas Raiders DE Malcolm Koonce.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"Malcolm Koonce, I'm telling you, this guy I've seen him since he was a pup when he first got in the league ... he is quiet, cool, collected and confident as hell," Crosby told Jim Gray on the "Let's Go!" podcast. "And he's learned how to work so I don't have to sit there and say nothing."
Crosby knows Koonce as well as anybody so this is some high praise, especially ahead of free agency. Luckily for Koonce, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was retained in Pete Carroll's coaching staff and he could push for the team to re-sign Koonce.
It's difficult to find good pass rushers so letting a homegrown one walk would be a tough pill to swallow. Perhaps a one-year deal might be best for both sides as he could recoup some value in free agency with another big season.
