The Las Vegas Raiders are reeling after a blockbuster trade for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby fell apart, with the team announcing Tuesday evening that the Baltimore Ravens have backed out of the deal. The agreement, which was reached last Friday, would have sent Crosby to Baltimore in exchange for two first-round draft picks. However, the trade couldn’t be finalized until the start of the new league year on Wednesday, and it wasn’t.
The stunning turn of events leaves both teams in a state of flux as they navigate the early stages of NFL free agency. For the Raiders, it throws a wrench into their rebuilding plans, while the Ravens are left searching for a way to bolster their defense. The failed trade centers around concerns raised during Crosby’s physical examination, according to reports.
Crosby’s Physical Raises Concerns
A person with knowledge of the Baltimore’s decision told the Associated Press that Crosby failed his physical. The 28-year-old underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury he played through the final two games of the 2023 season despite wanting to continue on the field. While Crosby recently stated he was “ahead of schedule” in his rehabilitation during an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the Ravens apparently weren’t satisfied with the results of the medical evaluation.
Crosby’s agent, CJ LaBoy, countered the reports on social media Tuesday night, stating, “Maxx continues to be on track in his recovery and if anything is ahead of schedule according to his surgeon,” LaBoy posted. “Maxx remains on track to return during the offseason program & will undoubtedly return as the dominant game wrecker he has been these past 7 seasons.”
Impact on Both Teams
The addition of Crosby was widely seen as a potential game-changer for the Ravens, who are in a “win-now” mode with three-time All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore’s defense finished tied for 28th in the league in sacks last season with only 30, and Crosby, a proven pass rusher, was expected to provide an immediate boost. He recorded 10 sacks and a career-high 28 tackles for loss in 2023, reaching double-digit sacks in four of his seven NFL seasons.
For the Raiders, the trade was intended to net valuable draft capital as they embark on a rebuild. Las Vegas owns the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft and is widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The team has been aggressive in free agency, reportedly agreeing to trade quarterback Geno Smith to the New York Jets and signing three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million contract with $60 million guaranteed, bringing him over from Baltimore. Fox News reported on the trade falling apart.
Raiders’ Financial Flexibility
Despite the failed Crosby deal, the Raiders entered free agency with nearly $112 million in salary cap space, giving general manager John Spytek the flexibility to continue pursuing other free agents. Spytek signed a three-year extension last year worth $106.5 million, with $91.5 million guaranteed, making him one of the league’s highest-paid general managers.
However, the situation with Crosby is complicated by a strained relationship between the player and the organization. He reportedly wasn’t pleased with the Raiders’ decision to sideline him for the final two games of last season, and a return to Las Vegas now seems unlikely. If the Raiders attempt to trade Crosby again, they may struggle to receive the same level of compensation they were offered by Baltimore.
What comes next for both teams remains to be seen. The Ravens will likely refocus their efforts on finding another edge rusher, while the Raiders will continue to build through the draft and free agency. The fallout from this failed trade will undoubtedly be felt throughout the league as teams adjust their strategies for the upcoming season.
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