Bengals reportedly considered making bold Maxx Crosby move before trading for Dexter Lawrence II

The Cincinnati Bengals made one of the biggest splashes of the NFL offseason when they agreed to send the New York Giants the 10th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II.

It seems that the Bengals explored making a trade for Las Vegas Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby earlier this year. 

Why Dexter Lawrence II and not Maxx Crosby is currently a Bengals player

"Sources tell me that long before the Cincinnati Bengals surrendered the 10th pick of the draft to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence, the team discussed trading that selection to the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby," NFL insider Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports shared on Wednesday. "But the Bengals were unwilling to match the pair of first-round picks the Baltimore Ravens initially sent to Vegas for Crosby before a failed physical nixed the deal."

As Pauline noted, the Raiders accepted an offer of two first-round picks from the Ravens in exchange for Crosby before the new league year got underway, but Baltimore controversially backed out of the deal after the 28-year-old failed a physical for reasons related to a meniscus repair he underwent in January. While Crosby reportedly requested a trade at some point after the 2025 season ended, Lawrence seemingly was eager to find a new NFL home this spring. 

It now sounds like Crosby is willing to stay with the Raiders through the summer, but some think the two sides could reenter discussions about a possible divorce during the 2026 campaign. 

What Bengals' decisions say about Trey Hendrickson, Joe Burrow

The Bengals reportedly "never had an interest in the 2026 value of" pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson before they let him reach free agency in March. After the Crosby trade fell through, the Ravens signed Hendrickson to a four-year, $112M contract that included $60M in fully guaranteed money and could be worth up to $120M.

Meanwhile, Crosby inked a three-year, $106.5M contract extension last offseason. Pauline's update indicates that the Bengals viewed Hendrickson as a less desirable option than Crosby or Lawrence. It may also show that Bengals ownership is truly worried that quarterback Joe Burrow could look to leave the organization next offseason if the club misses the playoffs for a fourth straight year.