One failed physical. One canceled blockbuster trade. And suddenly, the NFL’s pass-rusher market is back on fire.
Maxx Crosby’s future just became one of the most explosive storylines of the entire offseason.

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Maxx Crosby Trade Shock: Ravens Back Out, Sending NFL Into Frenzy as Four Teams Eye Raiders’ Star

Just days ago, it looked like one of the biggest trades of the 2026 NFL offseason was complete. Now, the entire situation has flipped—and the league’s most relentless pass rusher may suddenly be back on the market.

Maxx Crosby’s blockbuster move from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens appeared locked in. Baltimore was set to acquire the 28-year-old defensive superstar in exchange for first-round draft picks in both 2026 and 2027—a massive price for one of the NFL’s most disruptive defenders.

Then everything collapsed.

According to multiple reports, the Ravens stunned the league by backing out of the deal after Crosby failed the team’s physical examination. The reversal instantly sent shockwaves across the NFL, reopening the door to one of the offseason’s most dramatic trade sagas.

The concern centers on Crosby’s knee.

Late in the 2025 season, the Raiders shut him down for the final two games after he suffered a knee injury during a heavy loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in October. In early January, Crosby underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus and has been in rehabilitation ever since.

Encouragingly, his surgeon, renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. Neal ElAttratche, reportedly described Crosby’s recovery as “ahead of schedule.”

That reassurance, however, wasn’t enough for Baltimore.

Rather than take the risk, the Ravens walked away from the deal entirely, keeping their prized draft picks and pivoting quickly to sign veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson instead.

For a moment, the entire league seemed to hold its breath.

With the Ravens out of the picture, speculation immediately reignited about where Crosby could end up next.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Crosby has since returned to the Raiders’ facility to continue his rehab, and the current expectation inside the organization is that he will remain with Las Vegas for now.

But the story is far from over.

“Trade calls came. More will come,” Breer reported—an ominous hint that Crosby’s future may still be far from settled.

And if the Raiders reopen negotiations, several teams could immediately jump back into the race.

Chicago Bears: A Defensive Power Move

One potential suitor is the Chicago Bears, who reportedly monitored Crosby’s availability during the initial trade discussions.

At the time, Chicago didn’t enter the bidding war. But circumstances have changed.

The Bears’ defense still lacks a dominant edge presence opposite Montez Sweat. Their only notable free-agency addition at the position so far has been Kentavius Street, primarily a rotational player.

Pairing Crosby with Sweat would instantly transform Chicago’s defensive front into one of the most dangerous in the league—and general manager Ryan Poles knows it.

Dallas Cowboys: A Deal That Almost Happened

Few teams were closer to landing Crosby than the Dallas Cowboys.

Reports indicate the Cowboys pushed deep into negotiations before ultimately losing out to Baltimore’s offer. Owner Jerry Jones had reportedly set strict limits on how far the franchise would go in the bidding process.

Since then, Dallas has attempted to reshape its defensive line, trading for Rashan Gary while moving on from defensive linemen Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.

Still, Crosby remains a player the Cowboys have “eyed for a long time.”

If his value drops after the failed physical, Dallas may be tempted to revisit a deal they once desperately wanted to complete.

There is one complication: the Cowboys’ own team doctor, Dr. Daniel Cooper, was among the specialists who reviewed Crosby’s MRI scans for the Ravens. That connection could influence Dallas’s willingness to take the risk.

New England Patriots: The Vrabel Factor

Another fascinating possibility lies in New England.

The Patriots have yet to make a major splash at edge rusher this offseason. Their biggest move so far has been signing Dre’Mont Jones to a modest three-year contract.

Meanwhile, they released Anfernee Jennings and watched K’Lavon Chaisson sign elsewhere, leaving their pass rush thin.

Adding Crosby would immediately change that.

There’s another intriguing twist: Crosby has reportedly been interested in playing for Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The connection could make New England an unexpectedly strong contender if the Raiders decide to deal him.

Philadelphia Eagles: Never Count Out Howie Roseman

And then there’s Philadelphia.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has built a reputation as one of the league’s most aggressive dealmakers—especially when elite talent becomes available.

Philadelphia also has a clear need.

After losing Jaelen Phillips in free agency, the Eagles are looking to boost a pass rush that struggled mightily last season. Their defense posted a concerning 35% pass-rush win rate in 2025.

Crosby could instantly change that equation.

Interestingly, Crosby played college football at Eastern Michigan—the Eagles’ mascot—making the potential move an oddly poetic full-circle moment.

The Saga Isn’t Over

For now, Maxx Crosby remains a Raider.

But in the NFL, situations like this rarely stay quiet for long.

A failed physical has turned what looked like a completed blockbuster into one of the most unpredictable storylines of the offseason. And with multiple teams still hunting for elite pass rushers, Crosby’s future could once again explode into the center of the NFL spotlight at any moment.