The NFL world was shaken on Tuesday night as it was announced that Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby was not going to be traded to the Ravens. What should have been the most blockbuster trade of the 2026 offseason quickly went south as Ravens GM Eric DeCosta opted out of the trade.
Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade. pic.twitter.com/N0Wy1m3WTZ
TOP NEWS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2026
Crosby underwent knee surgery back in January for a torn meniscus in his left knee. He originally suffered the injury back on Oct. 25 in the Raiders’ loss to the Chiefs.
Despite having the surgery two months ago, the Ravens and Raiders agreed to a trade that saw a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick headed to Las Vegas in exchange for Crosby. However, with Crosby failing his physical, it started a wave of chaos. With the Ravens now uncomfortable with the state of Crosby’s knee injury, the trade was cancelled, and Crosby was now headed back to the Raiders. It is unclear what the breaking point was between the Raiders and Ravens.
With the Crosby deal off, the Ravens scrambled to find his replacement. Thankfully, they were able to strike a deal with the best edge rusher in free agency. Former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson agreed to a 4-year, $112 million contract with the Ravens. Hendrickson is three years older than Crosby but was the most accomplished defensive player available.
However, for the Raiders, Crosby’s future is unknown. The trade was initially supposed to free $30 million in cap space, and now the team will have to take account for the cap hit. The team also splurged in free agency. They revamped their front seven, signing Nakobe Dean, Kwity Paye, and Quay Walker. Crosby’s return will make the defense even more scarier.
Yet for the Raiders, that can’t get too comfortable. It is unknown if the Raiders will now keep of trade Crosby again. Crosby has now expressed interest in staying in Las Vegas for the upcoming season.
Overall, both teams walk away with something. The Raiders get to keep their five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, and the Ravens keep their first-round picks and signed Hendrickson. Yet in the future, both teams may look back on what could have been.
