In a stunning turn of events in the NFL offseason, star defensive end Maxx Crosby is now expected to stay with the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2026 season, following the dramatic collapse of his blockbuster trade to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini reported Wednesday, March 11, 2026: “For now the plan is for Maxx Crosby to be a Raider for the upcoming 2026 season.”
Las Vegas Raiders, Maxx Crosby
Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) embrace during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Breaking: Maxx Crosby Set to Remain with Las Vegas Raiders for 2026 Season After Ravens Trade Collapse
The saga began last Friday when the Raiders agreed in principle to send the five-time Pro Bowler to Baltimore in exchange for their 2026 first-round pick (No. 14 overall) and a 2027 first-rounder—a deal that would have provided Las Vegas with premium draft capital for a rebuild.
However, the trade unraveled Tuesday night when the Ravens backed out, citing concerns from Crosby’s physical related to his recent knee surgery (meniscus repair in January after the injury sidelined him late in 2025).
The Raiders issued a pointed statement:
“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby. We will have no further comment at this time.”
Multiple sources, including ESPN and NFL Network, confirmed medical issues as the catalyst, though Crosby’s agent CJ LaBoy pushed back publicly, stating his client is “ahead of schedule” in recovery per surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache and on track to return as a “dominant game wrecker.”
Russini, appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, described the situation as shady, stating:
“There’s 100% shadiness going on right now” regarding the Ravens’ abrupt withdrawal. She noted that Baltimore had full pre-trade access to Crosby’s medicals—including consultations with his surgeon and the Raiders’ staff—yet ultimately deemed the long-term knee risk too high for the steep price. Many around the league believe the Ravens got “cold feet” and pivoted to signing free agent Trey Hendrickson (reportedly a multi-year deal) the following day, preserving their draft picks while still bolstering the pass rush. Here is the video:
“There’s 100% shadiness going on right now.” 👀
– @DMRussini on the #Ravens backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade. pic.twitter.com/ZBc2Zw5lv5
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 11, 2026
Crosby’s Status and Raiders’ Path Forward
Crosby was spotted at the Raiders’ facility early Wednesday continuing his rehab, signaling a willingness to move forward in Las Vegas for now. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Crosby’s mindset is to “play football for the #Raiders, ready to move forward.” His agent reinforced that he’ll be a “monster” in 2026 as motivation amid the drama.
While the Raiders could still field new trade offers—potentially at a reduced price due to the failed physical—Russini indicated Las Vegas isn’t budging from their original asking price of two first-round picks at this time. Interest persists from teams like the Dallas Cowboys (previous finalists), Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and others, but the medical scrutiny has shifted leverage back toward the Raiders if they choose to retain their star.
The episode highlights the volatility of NFL trades, where a physical can derail even near-finalized deals and spark accusations of bad faith. For Raiders fans, it means keeping one of the league’s most relentless pass rushers (14.5 sacks in 2025 despite injury) on the roster—potentially turning a chaotic offseason into a defensive cornerstone for 2026.
As free agency and the draft approach, Crosby’s future remains fluid, but the current plan keeps him in Silver and Black. For more NFL breaking news, trade updates, and analysis, stay tuned. Do you think the Raiders should keep Crosby or trade him anyway? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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