maxx crosby
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Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.
The Las Vegas Raiders were likely feeling great about how free agency was going. They traded Maxx Crosby for two first-round picks, added some big names in free agency and were able to trade quarterback Geno Smith.
Unfortunately, the Baltimore Ravens had different ideas. Less than 24 hours before the start of the new league year, the Ravens informed the Raiders that they were pulling out of the trade for Crosby.
While teams have backed out of trades before, it doesn’t happen with blockbuster deals like the one with Crosby. The Raiders now have to scramble and rethink their plans. For now, players on the team seem happy Crosby is back.
Cornerback Eric Stokes, who recently inked a contract extension in Las Vegas, was confused by the update.
Eric Stokes Jr
Sooo max back?
For now, yes, Crosby is back with the Raiders. Defensive tackle JJ Pegues shared a picture of himself wearing a Crosby shirt on Instagram.
Raiders Lead
Maxx Crosby on his ig story reposts picture of #Raider RT JJ Pegues wearing a #Raiders Maxx Crosby shirt 👀👀
Crosby was the leader of the team and beloved by his teammates, so they’re likely all excited that he’s back for now. The problem is that this could create a potentially awkward situation in the coming weeks. It was revealed after the trade news that Corbsy did indeed ask for a trade, but perhaps the craziness surrounding this whole situation has led to a change of heart.
Crosby Back in Raiders’ Building
It doesn’t sound like Crosby is going to sit around and sulk following the trade news. He did put out an emotional goodbye video to the Raiders, but this is an unprecedented situation, so it shouldn’t be too hard to mend any fences.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Crosby is already back in Las Vegas, and the sentiment is that he could end up staying with the team.
“Maxx Crosby was in the Raiders building at 6 am this morning to resume rehab, and the team brass reached out to him immediately after the trade died yesterday,” Breer wrote on X. “General feeling—Crosby’s a Raider, let’s move forward.
“Trade calls came. More will come. But that’s where things are.”
Should Raiders Keep Crosby?
The Raiders were clear that they weren’t eager to trade Crosby all offseason. A haul of two first-round picks for a non-quarterback makes it easier to swallow a trade like that.
With the news that Crosby failed a physical, it’s hard to imagine teams are going to be lining up to trade two first-round picks for him now. That’s a big reason why there’s been so much backlash for the Ravens across the NFL.
At this point, the Raiders may just want to hold onto Crosby for now. Teams are going to be cautious about trading for him after spending cap space in free agency. Plus, while many believe the Ravens got cold feet, the fact that they cited a failed physical as the reasoning gives teams more leverage when negotiating against the Raiders.
In the end, Las Vegas isn’t going to be thrilled with one first-round pick for Crosby after they already proved they could get two. It’s more logical for them to just keep him unless he still wants out.