The NFL officially begins the 2026 league year at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. But on Tuesday, a blockbuster trade unraveled in a stunning and unprecedented turn.
The Baltimore Ravens backed out of a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders to acquire Maxx Crosby. Despite widespread criticism around the league, Baltimore quickly pivoted to another controversial move.
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MORE: All the trades the Baltimore Ravens walked away from and why
Less than 24 hours after spurning the Raiders, the Ravens reportedly agreed to terms with former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Ravens and Trey Hendrickson reached agreement on a four-year, $112 million contract.
Hendrickson stays in the AFC North, and now will be facing Joe Burrow and the Bengals twice a season. pic.twitter.com/v0iY2pISyE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2026
Not only do the Ravens regain their first-round picks, but they will also sign Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal. While the move may prove better for Baltimore in the long run, the optics remain questionable.
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The Ravens knew Crosby was recovering from major knee surgery when they initially agreed to send two first-round picks to Las Vegas.
MORE: Maxx Crosby’s agent sets the record straight on his client’s health
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However, after losing multiple free agents this offseason, Baltimore may have gotten cold feet about the compensation. Instead, the Ravens walk away with pass-rush help while keeping their draft capital intact.
Oct 26, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) runs out to the field before the game against the New York Jets at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Regardless of what ultimately derailed the Crosby trade, the addition of Hendrickson gives Baltimore a significant boost. Hendrickson must still pass a physical after undergoing a season-ending procedure in 2025.
The Raiders now evaluate their options with Crosby, while the Ravens acted quickly—perhaps with a contingency plan in place all along.
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