Per multiple reports, the Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a trade that would send star defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a first-round pick in 2026 and 2027.
Crosby had been the subject of numerous rumors ever since he appeared to have a falling out with the Raiders organization at the end of last season after he was placed on injured reserve for the final two games.
Crosby had a left knee injury but wanted to play in the final two regular season games.
Instead, Crosby underwent meniscus surgery.
Crosby is one of the best complete defensive ends in the league. While he’s a great pass rusher, Crosby also excels as a run defender, something that is rare for edge rushers that have a proclivity for getting after quarterbacks.
His skillset put the fear in the hearts of teams in the AFC West, even though the Raiders last made a playoff appearance in 2021, Crosby’s third season in the league.
Per Jay Glazer of Fox NFL Sunday, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton was excited at the news that the Raiders were shipping Crosby out of the AFC West. Payton claimed to have offered to pay for Crosby to take a private plane to Baltimore.
“Sean Payton called me soooo fired up the Raiders traded Maxx Crosby and even just texted Maxx saying he's offering to pay a private plane one-way flight to Baltimore, happy to see him out of the division,” Glazer posted on X. “Funny But also added, ‘You are an inspiration to watch and compete against.’
“Payton has long raved about how Maxx never slows down during games.”
It’s unclear if Payton was completely joking about offering to pay for the plane ticket.
However, the timing of the offer was curious, as the trade is not official until the start of the league’s new year on Wednesday. In fact, the legal tampering window doesn’t begin until Monday.
Payton has good reason to want Crosby out of the AFC West, where he would face the star pass-rusher twice a year.
In two games against Denver for the 2025 campaign, Crosby recorded nine total tackles, one sack and three stuffs.
With that being said, the Broncos could face Crosby in the AFC playoffs next season.
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