Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals received discouraging news regarding a Maxx Crosby trade
Amid the Cincinnati Bengals losing Trey Hendrickson in free agency, the team showed interest in acquiring five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby via trade. Albert Breer was the first to report that the Bengals called Las Vegas about a potential trade; however, Crosby was then dealt to the Baltimore Ravens in a trade that was later canceled.
Then, Bengals fans might have gotten their hopes up after former Cincinnati cornerback Adam Jones shared that the team was gearing up for a trade for Crosby.He posted a video on Xwhich said, “Maxx Crosby will be, might be in a Bengals uniform. We on the clock right now. I put that on my mama.”
Unfortunately, the latest development in the Maxx Crosby saga does not seem promising for Bengals fans hoping to land the superstar edge defender.
Cincinnati Bengals Target Maxx Crosby Commits to Raiders
After the Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade, many assumed the Raiders’ price tag for Crosby would be lower after his failed physical with Baltimore. That did not turn out to be true, asThe Athletic’s Dianna Russinni reported that the Raiders were still seeking two first-round picks for Crosby.
Following the failed trade with Baltimore, Maxx Crosby shared a post on social media in which he expressed his commitment to the Raiders.He posted on X, “Everything Happens For A Reason. Believe Nothing You Hear & Half Of What You See. Im A Raider. I’m Back. Run That Sh*t.”
Then, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk shared a report that the Raiders are no longer looking to trade Crosby.Florio wrote,“The Raiders are currently telling teams that defensive end Maxx Crosby won’t be traded, in the aftermath of the failed effort to ship him to the Ravens for a pair of first-round picks.” He added, “The Raiders, we’re told, never wanted to trade him. He wanted out. Now that he’s back and has publicly recommitted to the Raiders, he’s staying put.”
Possible Bengals Fit
Unfortunately for the Bengals, the addition of Maxx Crosby would have dramatically improved their defense as he is one of the most versatile edge defenders in the NFL.
Regarding how he would have fit in Cincinnati’s defense,Sports Illustrated’s Zach Presnell wrote, “Crosby would fit into the Bengals defense and could pair with free agent addition Boye Mafe to give the Bengals two premium edge players. The biggest hang up is a meniscus injury Crosby is recovering from as of this writing, but there is no indication that it will linger into the 2026 season.”
Previously, the Bengals had been seen as alanding spot for Crosby as NFL writer Logan Ulrichwrote, “The Bengals have dedicated a ton of resources to the offense during Burrow’s career. It’s the defense that has fallen off the hardest over the past three seasons,” Ulrich wrote, “They have the cash and they have the picks to make a deal happen. Crosby would be elated to play with Burrow, and he’d be the type of cornerstone player the Bengals could build the rest of the defense around.”