NFL
Maxx Crosby Trade “Ship Has Sailed” as Raiders Expect Star to Stay
Las Vegas Raiders v Philadelphia Eagles - NFL 2025 by Emilee Chinn | Getty Images
Despite the Ravens scuttling a blockbuster trade for All-Pro edge defender Maxx Crosby at the start of the offseason amid health concerns, the Raiders continue to be pleased with the gains Crosby is making after a knee procedure, and expectations remain very high for his 2026 season.
Crosby is working out on his own and not taking part in Las Vegas’s offseason practices, but league sources said he continues to throw himself into his recovery and make significant strides.
Crosby has told friends around the league he is as fired up as ever to have a monster season in the public fallout of the Ravens bailing on an agreed-upon trade, and he was never going to be fully cleared for football activities in time for the start of May Organized Team Activity practices.
Crosby originally requested the trade after the Raiders opted not to play him late last season, as they essentially tanked for the highest draft pick possible.
However, he recommitted to the team after the Ravens trade fell apart, and multiple general managers over the last few weeks have said that in their minds, Crosby is going to be a Raider in 2026.
“He’s going to start the season there, and he’ll probably play his ass off,” one GM said.
“They might get some calls (before the deadline), but I don’t think he’s getting moved now. I kind of think that ship has sailed.”
Other Teams Assuming He's Going Nowhere Now
Crosby had another dominant season in 2025 despite the knee bothering him, but he was adamant he could play through it to finish the season and then get the knee cleaned up after.
While Crosby has not talked about the failed trade much in recent weeks, he did vent about the way the Ravens handled the situation on his podcast in the immediate aftermath, and he is going to be highly motivated to show any and every one of the pass-rush needy teams that passed on him what they missed out on.
Editor's Insight
This now looks like a situation that has run its course. With the Ravens trade collapsed and rival GMs already conceding the “ship has sailed,” the most likely outcome is Crosby staying put in Las Vegas for 2026. The Raiders have little incentive to revisit talks unless something dramatic changes, and all signs point to him anchoring their pass rush next season.
Related Resources to NFL Transfers & Rumours
- Chiefs Among Suitors Monitoring Stefon Diggs as Receiver Market Shifts
- Jacoby Brissett Staying Put in Arizona? NFL Insiders Dismiss Trade Talk
- NFL Executives Reading Between the Lines on Myles Garrett’s Offseason Silence
- 49ers Expected To Cut Ties With Brandon Aiyuk But Delay Move Amid Trade Stalemate
- A.J. Brown Trade Still Expected Next Month: Which Teams Are in the Mix?
- Tyreek Hill Faces Cold Market as NFL Teams Cautious Over Risk vs Reward
- Odell Beckham Jr. Linked With Shock Giants Return as Harbaugh Values Locker Room Impact
- George Pickens Trade Still a Distinct Possibility for Cowboys Before Season
- Aaron Rodgers Verdict Imminent as Steelers Anticipate Another Season
- Cardinals Set To Trade Jacoby Brissett Before Deadline, GMs Expect
- Was Joe Burrow the Driving Force Behind the Bengals’ Shock Trade?
- Giants’ Dexter Lawrence Shock Trade Sparks Draft Chaos as Plans for Picks No.5 & No.10 Emerge
- 49ers Making A Push To End Trent Williams Contract Dispute Before Draft
- Kayvon Thibodeaux Expected to Command Day Two Return in Potential Giants Exit
- NFL Execs Point to Green Bay Packers as Logical Suitor for Dexter Lawrence
- Dexter Lawrence Trade: What Would Convince the Giants to Let Him Go?
- Myles Garrett’s Browns Contract Tweaks Spark Trade Speculation
- Ravens Break Tradition on Trades — Will They Break it Again in the Draft?
- Huge Divide Remains Between 49ers and Trent Williams; Future Still in Doubt
- Trade Talks Slow for Anthony Richardson; Green Bay, Chiefs, Jaguars Among Possible Landing Spots
La Canfora has covered over 20 Super Bowls and League Meetings and NFL drafts, building a wide network of sources throughout all aspects of the game. He was an award winning print journalist as well, working at The Detroit Free Press and The Baltimore Sun prior to his first stint at The Washington Post. He has covered sporting events around the world, including two Winter Olympics and all of the 2006 World Cup. He attended his first NFL game in 1978, and would soon kindle what has become a lifelong love and appreciation of the sport. La Canfora is also a professional handicapper, specializing in the NFL, creating a daily sports wagering game show - "Wanna Bet?" He also hosts nationally broadcast NFL radio shows in the US, as well as a daily sports radio show in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.