The Baltimore Ravens acquired five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders late Friday in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027, sources told ESPN and other outlets, capping a frenzied bidding war that included the Dallas Cowboys and several other teams. The deal, which cannot be finalized until the new league year begins March 11, marks the first time in the Ravens’ 31-year history that they have traded a first-round pick for a player.
Crosby, 28, has been a cornerstone for the Raiders since being drafted in the fourth round out of Eastern Michigan in 2019. He led the NFL with 29 more quarterback pressures than the next-closest player over the past two seasons and earned Pro Bowl honors each of the last five years. The trade bolsters Baltimore’s pass rush, which ranked 20th in the league with just 30 sacks last season, and signals an aggressive push under new head coach Jesse Minter to capitalize on quarterback Lamar Jackson’s prime years.
Multiple teams expressed strong interest in Crosby as trade rumors swirled for weeks. The Cowboys were considered the frontrunners, offering a first-round pick and a second-rounder, according to sources. However, the Ravens’ package of two firsts — including the No. 14 overall selection in the upcoming April draft — proved too enticing for Las Vegas to pass up. The Raiders, who hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft and are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, now have additional ammunition to rebuild.
Other teams monitoring Crosby’s availability included the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams, per Sports Illustrated. The Eagles, in particular, were linked to the pass rusher but ultimately did not make a competitive offer, sources said. Earlier speculation also tied the Detroit Lions to Crosby in hypothetical deals, though they did not emerge as finalists.
For the Ravens, the move comes amid a transitional offseason following a disappointing 8-9 campaign in 2025. Crosby’s contract carries a $19.7 million cap hit in 2026, but Baltimore views him as a key piece alongside edge rushers like Odafe Oweh to elevate their defense back into elite territory. “The Ravens are announcing that they’re all in,” one league source said.
The trade echoes recent high-profile pass-rusher deals, such as the Green Bay Packers’ acquisition of Micah Parsons from Dallas last year for two firsts and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. With Crosby now in the AFC North, he joins a division featuring stars like Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt and Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, setting up intense matchups ahead.
