What Happened With Maxx Crosby, the Raiders, and Ravens?

• The NFL offseason was roiled by the Maxx Crosby, Raiders, Ravens trade that surprisingly came apart
• Baltimore claims it was Crosby’s medicals, but there is speculation that it was more than that
• Las Vegas has spent a lot to improve its roster and now have Crosby back, for now
• What will happen with Crosby, the Raiders, and the Ravens now?

Dropping Trade Info Before It’s Official Carries This Risk

There is a silent agreement between the league, its teams, and the media that they will give important trade and free agent information before it’s official to generate web hits, likes, shares, and whatever else.

It’s media content.

But trades come undone for myriad reasons. It happens relatively infrequently, but it does happen.

In this case, the Ravens said it was because of Crosby’s physical. But there are theories as to what really happened.

There’s little the league can do to stop this from happening because it needs the union with the media. But, in a business sense, it’s not a good thing to happen because it impacts the moves the teams that believe they have an agreement have made, and also affects other teams’ decisions.

For the Ravens

The Ravens spun immediately after the trade fell through and signed former Bengals rusher Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson is good, but he’s not as much of a game-wrecker as Crosby.

They had surrendered a lot to get Crosby, dealing two #1 picks in 2026-27. This year’s pick is 14th overall.

It’s certainly possible that they took a second look at it and were feeling buyer’s remorse. Crosby’s surgically repaired knee gave them that out. Since the procedure is so recent, there was no way he was going to “pass” his physical if it was to show he can play right now. It gave them wiggle room to back out if they wanted, which they did.

However, Crosby’s side and the consensus is that he’s exactly where he needs to be physically to play at full strength next season.

Baltimore is in “win now” mode.

Although they fired longtime head coach John Harbaugh and replaced him with former assistant Jesse Minter, they are thinking Super Bowl in 2026. Lamar Jackson is becoming increasingly injury-prone. Derrick Henry is north of 30 and has significant wear on his tires. They’re getting older in general. Crosby would have given them that dominating pass rusher they need. If they’re winning with this core, they need to do it ASAP.

Still, two #1’s is a massive amount. If Crosby hadn’t worked as expected, it would have set the organization back for years.

Hendrickson is a good player who has also had injury issues. But this is a safer move since Hendrickson only costs money.

For the Raiders

Under new head coach Klint Kubiak and with the decision apparently having been made to take Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza 1st overall, the Raiders have been spending to boost their roster.

In quick succession, they signed center Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens), linebacker Quay Walker (Packers), linebacker Nakobe Dean (Eagles), defensive end Kwity Paye (Colts), and receiver Jalen Nailor (Vikings).

Apart from Linderbaum, these are steps to improve the foundation of a weak roster. Those draft picks they were getting for Crosby were part of that.

But now, with Crosby back, what do they do?

Should they try to trade him again after they and many other teams have committed big money to alternatives? It’s a different landscape knowing there’s no chance they will replicate that return of two #1’s.

If they can make it work financially, they’re better off keeping the star edge rusher who really wants to be there, Crosby.

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