Raiders to trade Maxx Crosby to Ravens for two 1sts.

[Greenbacks]

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- In the biggest trade in franchise history, the Baltimore Ravens are acquiring five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday night.
The deal is contingent on Crosby passing a physical, which can't occur until the start of the new league year Wednesday.
This marks the first time in the Ravens' 31-year existence that they've used a first-round pick to trade for a veteran player. Baltimore had the No. 14 pick in this year's draft.
Among the teams it beat out for Crosby were the Dallas Cowboys, who were willing to offer a first- and a second-round pick for the star pass-rusher, sources told Schefter.
Crosby, 28, significantly upgrades a struggling Ravens pass rush that totaled 30 sacks last season, which was Baltimore's fewest in 15 years. Last season was also the first time since the Ravens' inaugural 1996 campaign that they didn't have an edge rusher with more than 4.5 sacks.
The Ravens are making this uncharacteristic offseason splash after a disappointing 2025 season in which they finished 8-9, failed to make the playoffs and fired longtime coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore is looking for a game-changer like Crosby to get over the postseason hurdle and reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2012.
The addition of Crosby gives the Ravens their most decorated and feared pass-rusher in his prime since Terrell Suggs, the franchise's all-time sacks leader who played in Baltimore from 2003 to 2018. Crosby has produced four double-digit sack seasons in his seven-year career. Over that span, the Ravens have had two edge rushers with 10 or more sacks in a season: Kyle Van Noy (12.5 in 2024) and Odafe Oweh (10 in 2024).
This is huge welcome gift for new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, whose expertise is on defense and will call plays on that side of the ball. Since entering the league in 2019, Crosby has 360 quarterback pressures, which are 29 more than the next closest player, according to ESPN Research.
The Ravens have historically been reluctant to give up coveted draft capital because of their philosophy of building through the draft. Before Baltimore landed Crosby, the highest draft pick it ever ha given up was a second-rounder for middle linebacker Roquan Smith in November 2022.
There have only been three drafts where the Ravens didn't have their original first-round pick: 2004, 2010 and 2012. In each instance, the Ravens were either moving back into the first round (2003 for quarterback Kyle Boller) or falling back later in the draft to acquire more picks (2010 and 2012).
Crosby's future in Las Vegas came into question late in the season when the Raiders placed him on injured reserve with two games left because of a knee injury. He was not pleased about the decision and left the building.
He initially injured his left knee on Oct. 19 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, he recorded 73 tackles (28 for loss) and 10 sacks on the season, earning his fifth Pro Bowl selection. But he leaves Las Vegas with just one playoff appearance, a loss in the 2021 season.
Las Vegas is entering a rebuild under new coach Klint Kubiak. It now has two first-round picks in this year's draft -- No. 1 and No. 14.
In addition to the Crosby move, the Raiders also are expected to release quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade, before the start of the new league year Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter earlier Friday.

 

[Greenbacks]

Ravens nixed trade for Crosby due to medical concerns.​

HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders announced Tuesday that the Ravens have "backed out" of a trade agreement that would have sent All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby to Baltimore in exchange for two first-round picks.
No further details were provided in the Raiders' announcement, but league sources told ESPN that the Ravens backed out because of medical concerns that arose during a physical. Trades are contingent on players passing the physical and aren't official until the start of the new league year Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Ravens officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Raiders were set to meet Tuesday night to try to figure out their next steps, according to sources. For now, they are prepared to get Crosby healthy and have him play for Las Vegas, but they have received calls from several teams inquiring about his availability in a trade, a source said.
It is unclear whether a Crosby deal can be revived in some form, but having the Ravens trade nixed puts Las Vegas in a difficult situation because of all the money it has committed to outside free agents.
The Raiders were big spenders Monday. They used the most cap space in the NFL to agree to terms with three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, one of the top free agents, on a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN. The Raiders also strengthened their defense by making deals with linebackers Quay Walker (3 years, $40.5 million) and Nakobe Dean (3 years, $36 million) and edge rusher Kwity Paye (3 years, $48 million) and agreeing to re-sign cornerback Eric Stokes (3 years, $30 million) and edge rusher Malcolm Koonce (1 year, $11 million).
Las Vegas also added Jalen Nailor (3 years, $35 million) to improve its wide receivers room.
According to a team source, the Raiders are open to potentially repackaging a Crosby trade. One team that will be a long shot, however, is the Dallas Cowboys, who are not expected to pursue Crosby a second time because it will be "hard to retrace" their recent acquisitions, including a trade for Rashan Gary, a source told ESPN.
On Friday, the Raiders had acquired the Ravens' 14th overall pick in April's draft and a first-round pick in 2027. The move would have ended Crosby's seven-year career with the Raiders.
Crosby underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He was aware that he needed surgery in the fall but continued to play until the team decided to shut him down for the final two games of last season, a decision that left Crosby frustrated.
Crosby's agent issued a statement Tuesday saying the player was ahead of schedule in his recovery.
"Maxx continues to be on track in his recovery and if anything is ahead of schedule, according to his surgeon Dr. Neal El Attrache," agent CJ LaBoy said in his statement on X. "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."
ElAttrache told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday morning that Crosby was "doing very well in the early part of his rehab and recovery from surgery to treat a significant meniscus tear and the related stress injury to the bone and cartilage in his knee. He is certainly on track in his planned program."
"We truly respect the work of the Ravens' staff with Maxx regarding the contract physical exam. We also understand the challenge the staff faces when tasked to provide a future risk assessment based on an evaluation early in the recovery process," ElAttrache said. "This is especially challenging when dealing with an elite player like Maxx considering the level of commitment necessary for a team to obtain him. The timing of this assessment is unfortunate because the apparent risk will lessen as his recovery progresses and his return to performance over the next few months becomes clear."
Crosby, 28, eight weeks out from surgery, got off crutches last week.
He had posted a 13-minute video on his social media accounts Saturday, bidding farewell to Las Vegas and expressing his excitement for his new journey with the Ravens.
"I know there's no guarantees in this," Crosby said. "But I'm going to give everything in my heart and soul to bring a championship to Baltimore. There are no more words needed for that."
He added: "I'm so excited. I cannot wait to get out to the city and meet everybody."
He posted on Instagram on Tuesday that he was in Baltimore.
The Ravens have rescinded deals in the past because of issues with physicals.
In 1997, Baltimore backed out of a deal with Cowboys safety Brock Marion minutes before he was going to sign a contract because the team discovered a potential problem with his left shoulder. In 2018, Baltimore voided its four-year, $29 million agreement with wide receiver Ryan Grant after he failed a physical over an ankle injury. In 2020, the Ravens' deal with Michael Brockers fell through after an independent doctor expressed concern over the defensive lineman's left ankle.
The Ravens now need to address their pass rush, which was one of their biggest weaknesses. Baltimore had 30 sacks last season, which was tied for the second fewest in team history.

 

[Greenbacks]

Ravens agree to sign Trey Hendrickson to 4-year, $112M deal.​

The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to sign free agent defensive end Trey Hendrickson, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, in a high-priced pivot after their canceled blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby.
The sides agreed to a four-year, $112 million deal that can be worth up to $120 million with incentives, according to Schefter. The deal includes $60 million fully guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, sources told Schefter.
The deal keeps Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Cincinnati Bengals, in the AFC North and provides the Ravens with a much-needed star pass rusher less than 24 hours after Baltimore backed out of its trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Crosby.
League sources told ESPN that the Ravens had medical concerns that arose during Crosby's physical. Trades are contingent on players passing a physical and aren't official until the start of the new league year Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Crosby had surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He was aware that he needed surgery in the fall but continued to play until the Raiders decided to shut him down for the final two games of last season, a decision that left Crosby frustrated.
The canceled trade again left the Ravens with a need to address their pass rush, which was one of their biggest weaknesses last season. Baltimore had 30 sacks in 2025, tied for the second fewest in team history.
Baltimore now has Hendrickson, arguably the top available player in this year's free agent class and an All-Pro selection in 2024, when he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. He ended the 2025 season on injured reserve following a procedure to repair a core muscle injury, finishing with four sacks in seven games.
Sources told Schefter that Hendrickson, 31, will make an additional $500,000 for reaching specific sack thresholds per season, starting at eight sacks and then escalating to 10, 12 and 14.
Since signing with the Bengals as a free agent in 2021, Hendrickson has been one of the NFL's most effective pass rushers. During that span, he ranks second in overall pressure rate (13.2%), according to ESPN Research, and has 61 sacks, the fourth-highest total.
A third-round selection by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, Hendrickson has 81 sacks in nine NFL seasons.

 

[Sportstalks]

Ravens agree to sign Trey Hendrickson to 4-year, $112M deal.​

The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to sign free agent defensive end Trey Hendrickson, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, in a high-priced pivot after their canceled blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby.
The sides agreed to a four-year, $112 million deal that can be worth up to $120 million with incentives, according to Schefter. The deal includes $60 million fully guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, sources told Schefter.
The deal keeps Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Cincinnati Bengals, in the AFC North and provides the Ravens with a much-needed star pass rusher less than 24 hours after Baltimore backed out of its trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Crosby.
League sources told ESPN that the Ravens had medical concerns that arose during Crosby's physical. Trades are contingent on players passing a physical and aren't official until the start of the new league year Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Crosby had surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He was aware that he needed surgery in the fall but continued to play until the Raiders decided to shut him down for the final two games of last season, a decision that left Crosby frustrated.
The canceled trade again left the Ravens with a need to address their pass rush, which was one of their biggest weaknesses last season. Baltimore had 30 sacks in 2025, tied for the second fewest in team history.
Baltimore now has Hendrickson, arguably the top available player in this year's free agent class and an All-Pro selection in 2024, when he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. He ended the 2025 season on injured reserve following a procedure to repair a core muscle injury, finishing with four sacks in seven games.
Sources told Schefter that Hendrickson, 31, will make an additional $500,000 for reaching specific sack thresholds per season, starting at eight sacks and then escalating to 10, 12 and 14.
Since signing with the Bengals as a free agent in 2021, Hendrickson has been one of the NFL's most effective pass rushers. During that span, he ranks second in overall pressure rate (13.2%), according to ESPN Research, and has 61 sacks, the fourth-highest total.
A third-round selection by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, Hendrickson has 81 sacks in nine NFL seasons.

ravens needed pass rush help and hendrickson should definitely help with that gonna be interesting to see how the defense looks this year might keep an eye on it on bitcoinbetting too