The planned trade of star defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens has fallen through. On Tuesday evening, the Raiders announced that the Ravens “backed out” of the deal after Crosby failed a physical exam.
The trade had been set, with the Ravens agreeing to send two first-round picks to the Raiders. However, all NFL trades hinge on players passing physicals, which is a required step before any deal becomes official. The new league year opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, at which point trades can be finalized.
In a brief statement, the Raiders said they would provide no further comment, while the Ravens remained silent.
Crosby, a standout player selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, quickly became a key figure for the Raiders. He’s made five Pro Bowl appearances, showing his talent on the field. Over the years, he has expressed a strong desire to remain with the Raiders, signing two substantial contract extensions.
However, tensions rose after the Raiders placed Crosby on injured reserve last December. There were rumors that the team aimed to lose games for a better draft pick, which frustrated him. After some time away, Crosby returned to the facility.
In January, team owner Mark Davis visited Crosby, and they concluded that a trade would be best for both parties. The Ravens were interested in Crosby, outbidding teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars for his services.
This isn’t the first time the Ravens have faced issues with trades due to failed physicals. In 2018, they had to walk away from a deal with wide receiver Ryan Grant due to ankle concerns. Then in 2020, a verbal agreement with defensive tackle Michael Brockers also fell through for the same reason.
Now, with the trade off, the Ravens find themselves in a challenging position. They have their two first-round picks back, but General Manager Eric DeCosta faces a tough task. The trade was pivotal for addressing the team’s defensive needs, and now they’ll need to rethink their strategy.
Crosby has impressive stats: 69.5 sacks and 133 tackles for loss in seven seasons. Yet, despite his success, he has only one playoff appearance. The Raiders’ struggles have included five different head coaches during his tenure.
Crosby’s current contract runs through 2029, with significant guarantees but minimal dead cap, making him a potentially attractive player for future trades.
As the league moves into a new year, all eyes will be on Crosby and how both the Raiders and Ravens adjust. The dynamic of the trade talks could shift as teams seek to fill their rosters effectively, especially considering recent statistics show a 30% increase in successful trades during this off-season compared to the last.
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Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, NFL
