By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 14:58 EDT, 11 March 2026 | Updated: 14:58 EDT, 11 March 2026
One Baltimore Ravens fan is suffering with the repercussions of Maxx Crosby's failed trade more than most.
The NFL world was blindsided when the Ravens backed out of a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for defensive superstar Crosby on Tuesday night. And now one Ravens fan is living with regrets.
The supporter, 'Nate,' posted under the X handle @Hamilton_DPOY last week that if the Ravens traded for Crosby that he would completely shave his head.
Around a week later, Baltimore did indeed make a move for Crosby and surprisingly the fan followed through on his pledge.
Nate even provided proof, sharing a photo of himself with a freshly-shaved head, writing: 'Welcome to Baltimore @CrosbyMaxx.'
However, he was left regretting his new hairstyle, when not even 24 hours later, the trade between the Ravens and Raiders collapsed.
Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby saw his trade to the Baltimore Ravens fall through
One Ravens fan was left with regrets when he shaved his head following the initial trade news
A seething Nate returned to social media to post: 'I am bald now and Maxx Crosby ISN’T a Raven. What has my life become(?)'
Crosby, whose displeasure with the Raiders first emerged late last season, was on his way to Baltimore in exchange for a pair of first-round picks when the Ravens unexpectedly reneged on the reported deal on Tuesday evening.
In a pointed statement released Tuesday evening, the Las Vegas Raiders confirmed the trade was off just hours before the 2026 league year was set to become official, saying the Ravens 'backed out' of the agreement.
While the Ravens have since moved on, agreeing to a four-year, $112 million deal with another defensive end, ex-Bengals star Trey Hendrickson, NFL fans are left wondering how the Crosby deal unraveled.
The Crosby trade, which would have seen the Ravens part with their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, reportedly crumbled after Crosby failed a medical examination.
While the Raiders' medical staff had originally cleared Crosby, the Ravens' evaluation is said to have flagged significant concerns regarding his recovery from offseason knee surgery.
As reported by ESPN, that process began with Dallas Cowboys team doctor, Daniel Cooper, who reportedly took a dim view of the left knee Crosby had surgically repaired in January.
'The Baltimore Ravens essentially failed him on their physical, and my understanding is there were multiple doctors that reviewed his MRI scans,' said ESPN's Adam Schefter. 'There were doctors that examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys doctor that performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers.
Crosby had knee surgery over the winter and that is said to be the reason for the decision
Eric DeCosta is the Baltimore Ravens general manager, who has made the big Crosby decision
'Many teams and players rely on Dr. Cooper's expertise, and Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images where the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.'
But while ESPN is reporting that Cooper's expertise led to questions about Crosby's knee, NFL Network claims the Cowboys remain interested in the Pro Bowl defensive end.
'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,' NFL Network's Pelissero said. 'Starting with the medical.
'I would specifically say the other team that was in it at the end as we reported is the Dallas Cowboys. I am told the Dallas Cowboys would still be interested in a Maxx Crosby trade.'
The Daily Mail has reached out to Cowboys spokespeople for comment on both ESPN's and NFL Network's reports.
Crosby has been rehabilitating from left knee surgery performed by the esteemed Dr. Neal ElAttrache. However, in response to the trade's collapse, Crosby's agent, CJ LaBoy, took to X on Tuesday night to push back against the medical narrative surrounding his client.
'Maxx continues to be on track in his recovery and if anything is ahead of schedule according to his surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache,' LaBoy posted.
The agent insisted Crosby remains on track to return during the offseason program and will 'undoubtedly return as the dominant game wrecker he has been.'