The Baltimore Ravens completed a significant offseason acquisition by trading for Maxx Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowl defensive end, from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027. However, the New England Patriots were reportedly never a serious contender for Crosby due to intervention by Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, who opposed any trade sending Crosby to New England.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the deal to send Crosby to the Patriots “was never going to happen” because Brady would not allow it. This effectively shut down potential trade talks despite the Patriots’ strong position in the AFC following a Super Bowl LX appearance the previous season.
Details of the Trade and Competing Offers
During the negotiations, Brady’s resistance stood out to those involved. One source shared,
“No way Tom [Brady] was sending Maxx to [Mike] Vrabel.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Baltimore Ravens ultimately outbid the Dallas Cowboys, who were prepared to offer a first and second-round pick for Crosby.
In seven seasons with the Raiders, Crosby compiled impressive stats: 278 solo tackles, 161 assists, 69.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and one interception, earning five Pro Bowl selections. Last season, he played 15 games, recording 73 tackles, 10 sacks, and his first career interception.
Baltimore Ravens’ Rise and Future Prospects with Crosby
Now under rookie head coach Jesse Minter, the Ravens rank among the top Super Bowl favorites alongside the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, positioning Crosby as a key addition to their defense. This move strengthens their pursuit of championship success after narrowly missing the title during the previous season.
