Raiders Report That Ravens Withdraw from Maxx Crosby Trade Deal
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders have confirmed that the Baltimore Ravens have pulled out of a trade that was set to send star pass rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore in exchange for two first-round draft picks.
The trade, initially agreed upon last Friday, could not be finalized until the start of the NFL league year on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Raiders announced the Ravens’ withdrawal from the deal but declined to comment further.
Reports indicate that the trade collapse was due to Crosby not passing a physical. The 28-year-old defensive end had undergone surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, which led to him missing the last two games of the previous season. Despite this, Crosby expressed optimism about his recovery during a recent interview on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” stating he was “ahead of schedule” in his rehabilitation.
The proposed trade was seen as vital for both teams. For the Ravens, adding Crosby would have provided a significant boost to their defense, which ranked tied for 28th in the league with only 30 sacks last season. On the other hand, the Raiders were looking to use the first-round picks as part of a rebuilding effort.
Crosby, who is coming off a season in which he recorded 10 sacks and a career-high 28 tackles for loss, has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform at a high level, having reached double-digit sacks in four of his seven seasons.
As the Raiders prepare for the upcoming draft, they currently hold the No. 1 pick and are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders have been active in free agency, having reached agreements with several new players, including a notable deal with three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who is set to join Las Vegas on a three-year, $81 million contract with $60 million guaranteed.
