The anticipated trade of Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens collapsed on Tuesday evening after the Ravens withdrew due to concerns about Crosby’s knee injury. The planned deal, which would have sent two first-round picks to Las Vegas, was halted because of medical issues uncovered during Crosby’s physical examination.
Maxx Crosby, a standout edge rusher, was set to change teams after the Ravens agreed to send their 14th overall pick in this year’s draft as well as a 2027 first-round selection to the Raiders. This would have marked the first time in the Ravens’ 31-year history they parted with a first-round pick, underscoring the significance of this trade.
Agent Responds Defiantly to Medical Concerns
Following the Ravens’ decision to back out, Crosby’s agent CJ LaBoy publicly challenged the reported medical concerns surrounding his client’s knee. In a post on X, LaBoy stressed that Crosby’s recovery is progressing well with the approval of his surgeon, Dr. Neal El Attrache.
“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.”
CJ LaBoy, Agent
Background on Crosby’s Injury and Recent Season
The Raiders had sidelined Crosby towards the end of the previous NFL season by placing him on injured reserve ahead of Week 17, after he had played through a lingering knee injury for most of the year. Once the Raiders realized their season was effectively over, they opted to prioritize Crosby’s health to avoid further risk.
Former Raiders head coach Pete Carroll commented at the time on Crosby’s efforts to continue playing despite the injury, saying each week he did everything possible to stay on the field but the injury ultimately worsened.
“Hopefully, the right conclusion for his long betterment.”
Pete Carroll, Former Raiders Head Coach
The decision to shut Crosby down was met with frustration from the player, who left the Raiders’ facility abruptly afterward. This marked the beginning of strained relations that eventually led to trade discussions with Baltimore.
Unexpected Reversal Leaves Both Teams in Difficult Position
Despite issuing a farewell video anticipating the trade, Crosby remains with the Raiders due to Baltimore’s withdrawal. The reversal has created complications for both teams, as the NFL’s legal tampering period ended prior to the deal falling apart, and significant roster moves had been made based on Crosby’s anticipated departure.
For example, the Raiders recently made center Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid player at his position, increasing his salary by nearly $9 million, with the understanding that Crosby’s contract was freed from the salary cap.
The timing of this trade collapse disrupts plans during a critical period for team roster adjustments and raises questions about how the Raiders and Ravens will proceed moving forward with Crosby’s status uncertain.
