What’s next for Max Crosby? The post Raiders star’s future uncertain after trade with Ravens collapses at 11th hour originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The blockbuster move it once was is no longer the blockbuster move it once was for the Baltimore Ravens. In a stunning turnaround, the Las Vegas Raiders announced Tuesday night that they were canceling the trade that sent All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore.
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The deal reportedly originally involved the Ravens sending 2026 and 2027 first-round draft picks to Las Vegas, but it fell apart due to unspecified medical reasons. While Crosby has said a heartfelt goodbye to Predator Nation on social media, he reportedly failed his physical with the Ravens as he is still recovering from offseason knee surgery.
The collapse of the deal just hours before the 2026 league officially started has left both teams in limbo. The future is uncertain for Crosby as Las Vegas is in the midst of a complete rebuild and the star edge rusher wants to go to a contender.
Here’s what’s next for Crosby after his move to the Ravens fell through.
More NFL free agents: Team results | First day winners and losers | best player available
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What’s next for Max Crosby?
Crosby has been recovering from left knee surgery in early January, and while the Raiders’ medical staff initially cleared him, the Ravens’ evaluation raised significant concerns about his recovery timeline.
After releasing a 12-minute farewell video to “Raider Nation” and expressing his excitement about competing for a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson, Crosby is now back in the locker room, where he reportedly expressed “frustration” after being suspended at the end of the 2025 season.
The Raiders issued a pointed statement on Tuesday night, making it clear that the Ravens “opt-out” of the agreement. While they retained the defensive center, the relationship between Crosby and the front office seemed to fray, especially after the team allegedly pursued the trade against Crosby’s original wishes to stay.
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Crosby is under contract with the Raiders through 2029, but with the trade market now aware of Baltimore’s medical red flags, his path to becoming a contender could become more complicated.
More: Why did the Ravens back out of the Mark Crosby trade?
Teams that could trade Max Crosby
Crosby made it clear he wanted to go to a contender. With Baltimore’s trade officially off the table due to medical issues, several teams that were left out of the Ravens’ offer of two first-round picks could get back into the lottery — if their medical staffs feel more comfortable with his knee recovery.
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Here are some landing spots that might be worth keeping an eye on as the 2026 league begins:
dallas cowboys
Jerry Jones is reportedly the Ravens’ top contender, offering first- and second-round picks (including the 12th overall pick). After trading Micah Parsons to Green Bay last year, the Cowboys are in desperate need of a defensive cornerstone and have about $20 million in cap space to complete the deal.
philadelphia eagles
It has been widely reported that Howie Roseman is in the running for Crosby. With Jaelan Phillips signing with the Carolina Panthers in free agency and the Eagles’ edge depth thin, Philly could use its aggressive contract restructure to factor Crosby’s $30.7 million cap hit into its 2026 books.
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chicago bears
The Bears have more than $70 million in cap space and desperately need a pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. The defending NFC North champions have the draft capital and financial flexibility to accept Crosby’s contract without hesitation.
detroit lions
Detroit was frequently linked to Crosby before the Ravens offense. The Michigan native’s return remains a popular theory among league insiders, given their current Super Bowl window and the need to bolster a pass rush that has struggled to remain consistent in 2025.
More:2026 NFL free agency results
Can the Raiders keep Max Crosby?
While the Raiders will likely retain Crosby as he is under contract through 2029, a reunion is the least likely scenario at this time. The situation in Las Vegas has shifted from a professional partnership to a relationship that may be broken beyond repair.
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Multiple reports, including The Athletic and NFL Network, suggested that Crosby was “disgruntled” before the deal was made. After being suspended for the final two games of 2025 — something Crosby reportedly objected to — the star edge rusher has released a 13-minute farewell video to fans. Returning to the locker room after a public farewell and a failed trade is a mental hurdle that few teams have successfully overcome.
General manager John Spytek has apparently shifted the Raiders into “total rebuild” mode. The Raiders are currently set to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, while Las Vegas is looking to acquire more picks.
More:The NFL’s best remaining free agents
Why did the Ravens back out of the Mark Crosby trade?
The Baltimore Ravens waived Max Crosby’s trade primarily because he failed to pass a physical.
While the deal was agreed on Friday night, it will not be finalized until the start of the 2026 league year (Wednesday, March 11). Crosby traveled to Baltimore over the weekend to undergo standard medical testing, a sign of serious concerns about his recovery from offseason meniscus repair.
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Although Crosby publicly stated that he was “ahead of schedule” in his recovery, the Ravens’ medical staff was reportedly upset by the discovery. Given the unprecedented prices for two first-round picks, Ravens management believes the risk of sustained injuries is too high.
