Maxx Crosby to Stay in Las Vegas After Ravens Trade Voids

LAS VEGAS — Maxx Crosby is staying put. After a rollercoaster week that saw a blockbuster deal to the Baltimore Ravens collapse at the finish line, the three-time All-Pro will remain the heartbeat of the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense for the 2026 campaign. The Ravens reportedly backed out after medical staff flagged concerns regarding Crosby’s recovery from the meniscus surgery he underwent late last season.

The Trade That Fell Through

The “Mad Maxx” era in Las Vegas looked like it had reached its final chapter when news broke that Baltimore had agreed to send two first-round picks to the Raiders. However, the deal vanished into thin air when Crosby failed his physical. Despite finishing 2025 with 10 sacks, 73 tackles, and a staggering 28 tackles for loss, the knee injury proved too much of a gamble for the Ravens’ front office. You could almost feel the collective gasp from the Raiders’ facility when the news hit that No. 98 was returning to the desert. The locker room tension was palpable, but the Raiders moved quickly to smooth things over with their star defender.

• 2025 Stat Line: 10 sacks, 73 total tackles, 1 interception.
• Career Milestone: 5-time Pro Bowl selection (2021-2025).
• Recovery Status: Currently rehabbing from late-season meniscus surgery.

“I’m a Raider until I’m not. The business side of this league gets messy, but my motor doesn’t have an off switch. Las Vegas is where my heart is right now, and I’m focused on being 100% for Week 1. If people want to doubt my health, they haven’t been watching the last seven years.”
— Maxx Crosby, Raiders Defensive End

Trade Value and the 2026 Outlook

The failed physical definitely complicated the situation for General Manager John Spytek. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes that the voided deal hit Crosby’s immediate trade value hard. Teams are now wary of that knee, and the Raiders are forced into a “wait and see” approach. However, the bridge isn’t burned. Head Coach Klint Kubiak has reportedly been in constant contact with Crosby to rebuild trust. If Crosby looks like his usual self by October, expect the trade rumors to heat up again. For now, the Raiders’ defense keeps its only true elite weapon, a move that keeps them competitive in a brutal AFC West while they continue their broader rebuild around the Indiana standout quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.