Tyler Linderbaum. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Raiders made Ravens pay dearly for Maxx Crosby trade

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Mar 10, 2026 8:01 AM ET

On Friday, the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to trade star defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for a first-round pick in 2026 and 2027.

Crosby's relationship with the Raiders reportedly deteriorated toward the end of the regular season when he was placed on injured reserve for a knee injury in the final two weeks. He then underwent meniscus surgery.

Crosby's contract, which averages to $35.5 million per year, isn't cheap. The Ravens took on the defensive end's contract around the same time they were trying to extend the contract of center Tyler Linderbaum.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Raiders agreed to a three-year deal with Linderbaum worth $81 million, with $60 million guaranteed.

"ESPN Sources: former Ravens free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum reached agreement today on a record deal with the Raiders, who are awarding him with a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million guaranteed and makes him the highest paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history," Schefter posted on X.

ESPN Sources: former Ravens free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum reached agreement today on a record deal with the Raiders, who are awarding him with a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million guaranteed and makes him the highest paid interior offensive lineman in NFL… pic.twitter.com/8oWmOroNBA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026

Raiders take advantage of Maxx Crosby trade

The Raiders had some cap space to play with after trading Crosby to the Ravens. Per Over the Cap, Baltimore is over the cap by nearly $12 million before the start of the league's new year on Wednesday.

The Raiders were able to outmaneuver the Ravens for Linderbaum, in part thanks to the Crosby trade. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made it clear this offseason that signing Linderbaum was a priority. At the NFL Combine, he claimed that Baltimore offered the center a "market-setting" contract.

Instead, the Raiders are set to acquire an offensive lineman who has made the Pro Bowl three times in his career. Linderbaum, 25, has appeared in and started in 66 games during his four-year NFL career.

Linderbaum is a key addition for the Raiders before the draft. He'd be an asset for the offense if Las Vegas takes Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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