The Baltimore Ravens stunningly decided to back out of their franchise-altering trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for defensive end Maxx Crosby after the 29-year-old failed his physical.
NFL Network Insider and free agency expert Ian Rapoport was on-air as the news broke, discussing the New York Jets' trade for veteran quarterback Geno Smith from earlier in the afternoon. Suddenly, the view from the Los Angeles studio cut to an on-screen graphic showing the Raiders' statement.
"The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our agreement for Maxx Crosby," Las Vegas wrote on their social media platforms. "We will have no further comment at this time."
Rapoport, stunned, clearly wasn't up to date on the news. "To be fully transparent and honest, we do not know why the Baltimore Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade, he admitted. "We can make assumptions, we can discuss various possibilities, but we don’t know for sure."
It was quickly revealed by a host of insiders, including Diana Russini of The Athletic, that Crosby failed his medical. Rapoport followed up with some information on what's next for the Raiders star, including a potential move to the Dallas Cowboys.
"There are teams that are going to be interested still in a Maxx Crosby trade, but there are a lot of things that they need to get answers on, starting with the medical," he said.
Dallas was initially interested in Crosby, though the team wouldn't offer two first-round picks as Baltimore did.
"I would specifically say, the other team that was in it at the end, as we reported, is the Dallas Cowboys," Rapoport added. "I am told the Dallas Cowboys would still be interested in a Maxx Crosby trade."
Maxx Crosby
Crosby spent his entire professional career with the Raiders ( Getty Images)
Crosby had surgery on his injured knee at the end of the 2025 season — he missed the final two games of the campaign (after campaigning to play).
He posted a 13-minute video to his Instagram, bidding farewell to the organization that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
"I know there's no guarantees in this," Crosby said in the message. "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."
The Raiders made a series of signings in free agency, including bringing in ex-Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum for a market-setting three-year, $81 million contract (with $60 million guarantees).
The Ravens now have limited options to improve their pass rush. Cincinnati Bengals edge Trey Hendrickson seems like a logical target.