Ravens Nix Maxx Crosby Deal, Defensive End Heads Back to Raiders

The headline-grabbing news of NFL free agency season continues. The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of the trade for Maxx Crosby after the defensive end reportedly failed his physical.

Crosby will return to the Raiders, who now must reshuffle their draft board and plans. Las Vegas was going to receive a first-round pick from the Ravens in 2026 and 2027. Now, the team has its edge rusher back, but must decide whether to keep him or shop what many teams might feel is damaged goods.

(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Ravens didn't like what they learned about Crosby's knee. The five-time Pro Bowler will turn 29 about a week before the 2026 NFL season. He has 69.5 sacks in his seven-year career, and has twice led the NFL in tackles for loss.

But Crosby missed games in each of the last two seasons with nagging knee injuries. He underwent surgery to repair a meniscus in his left knee in January.

The Ravens can void a trade based on the results of a physical examination. Their doctors must have seen something that they did not like, and now Crosby and the Raiders are back where they were a week ago.

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Raiders have added players, salary this offseason

The Raiders have made a flurry of transactions in the last few days to reshape their roster. The team signed free agent center Tyler Linderbaum from the Ravens earlier this week, inking him to a record (for a center) $81 million deal. The Raiders also signed free agent wide receiver Jalen Nailor, as well as three defensive players: linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean; and defensive end Kwity Paye.

Las Vegas has opened its checkbook, making signings worth more than $145 million to those players and more. The team also has the No. 1 pick, which it is expected to use to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

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The Crosby trade was expected to net another legitimate starting player in this year's first round, and stockpile a first-rounder for 2027. Now, the Raiders have to figure out what to do with Crosby, and potentially address a salary problem.

Crosby would count for nearly $36 million toward to the salary cap for Las Vegas if he remains on the roster. With the many signings the Raiders have made this offseason, that may be untenable.

Ravens entering new era with new coach

The Ravens must pivot too. The team had seemed to push all its chips into the middle of the table with the Crosby trade, as it tries to go for a title while quarterback Lamar Jackson is still in his prime. The Ravens cut ties with longtime coach John Harbaugh after a disappointing loss last January that kept them from the playoffs. Without Crosby, the Ravens must refigure their pass rush, and examine options for the first round of the draft with a pick back in order.

New head coach Jesse Minter has his roots as a defensive coordinator. He has expressed a desire to bolster the defense with an aim to get back to the playoffs. In the Jackson Era, the Ravens are 3-5 in the postseason, and have yet to reach the Super Bowl with the dynamic QB.

Betting odds on the Ravens and Raiders could be impacted by the Crosby trade news. But typically, free agent signings move the needle little in regards to NFL odds markets. The Ravens are listed at +1000 to win the next Super Bowl, per BetMGM.