Unresolved Trade Situation Raises Questions
There’s something off about the recent trade discussions.
Maxx Crosby and the Raiders are puzzled by the Ravens’ sudden decision to back out of a trade that would have sent the standout pass rusher to Baltimore, citing medical issues as the reason for the change of heart.
As reported by ESPN, sources close to the situation have questioned whether Crosby’s injury history, particularly his knee surgery in January, was a dealbreaker. This skepticism is heightened by the fact that Baltimore quickly signed Trey Hendrickson, an edge rusher from the Bengals, just hours after the Crosby deal fell through.
A source mentioned to ESPN, “The Ravens had ample information and still approved the deal. They did thorough prep work, which should have eased some concerns.”
“Nobody’s going to acknowledge the real story,” Crosby remarked on his podcast, “The Rush,” last week.
Crosby, who inked a three-year, $106.5 million deal with the Raiders last March, was eager for a shot at a championship. The proposed trade on March 6 would have marked the Ravens’ first time giving up a first-round pick for a veteran.
During his podcast, Crosby shared that when he arrived in Baltimore for his physical on March 10, he didn’t immediately meet Ravens head coach Jesse Minter or general manager Eric DeCosta, who had previously expressed excitement about him joining the team.
He recalled, “I was half-expecting to see [DeCosta] when I got there. I’m not sure why that didn’t happen right away. He said I’d been traded, but I didn’t see him for five hours.”
When he finally did meet with the Ravens’ executives, the initial excitement turned into concern as DeCosta raised new questions about Crosby’s knee.
ESPN reported that the Ravens sought additional medical opinions, including from knee specialist Dan Cooper, who indicated that while Crosby could return to play in 2026, his long-term outlook was uncertain due to a “degenerative disease” in his knee.
In contrast, Crosby’s surgeon, Dr. Neal El-Atrache, told ESPN that the player is recovering well. “Max is making great strides in his rehabilitation post-surgery for a significant meniscal tear and associated stress damage. He’s on track and feeling much better than before the operation,” El-Atrache stated.
After Crosby’s agents voiced their reservations about the deal, he received a call from the Ravens’ staff suggesting that the trade was still on. However, just moments later, they informed him that the contract had fallen through and he was returning to Las Vegas.
The following day, Hendrickson, who had undergone core muscle surgery in December, secured a one-way ticket to Baltimore with a four-year, $112 million contract.
DeCosta has expressed his disappointment about Crosby’s situation while denying any notion that the Ravens were cold-hearted in their dealings, emphasizing that the trade and the Hendrickson agreement were separate matters.
Nonetheless, DeCosta’s comments have raised eyebrows throughout the league, given the lack of transparency surrounding the trade cancellation.
An NFC executive summed it up well: “I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle.”
It’s possible that trade discussions could resurface around the November deadline, but for now, it seems Crosby will be starting the 2026 season where he is most familiar.
“I’m here. I’m a Raider,” Crosby included on his podcast. “I’ll be in this situation until things change, which is unpredictable. This league keeps you on your toes.”
