Denver head coach Sean Payton didn’t bother hiding how relieved he was to see star pass rusher Maxx Crosby leave the AFC West. After weeks of offseason speculation finally ended with Crosby landing in Baltimore via trade to the Baltimore Ravens, Payton joked that he was so grateful he would have been willing to send the All-Pro defender a thank-you gift just for getting out of Denver’s division.
The light-hearted comment came after a stretch of rumors linking Crosby to several potential landing spots, a saga that had teams like the Denver Broncos quietly hoping the relentless edge rusher would end up anywhere outside the AFC West, especially after years of tormenting division rivals with the Las Vegas Raiders. Jay Glazer took to X to reveal a text he received from Payton, the head coach of the Denver Broncos.
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“Sean Payton called me soooo fired up the Raiders traded Maxx Crosby and even just texted Maxx saying he’s offering to pay a private plane one-way flight to Baltimore, happy to see him out of the division. Funny. You are an inspiration to watch and compete against.” Payton has long raved about how Maxx never slows down during games,” Glazer said.
Maxx Crosby in Purple and Black
The Las Vegas Raiders are clearly turning the page as a new era begins in Las Vegas, and one of the biggest signs of that shift is the departure of star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. In a blockbuster move just before free agency, the Raiders agreed to send Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in return for the No. 14 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and another first-round selection in 2027. The deal still has to wait until the new league year officially opens Wednesday, but the direction for both teams is already clear.
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Former Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) looks on from the sideline during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
(Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
For Baltimore, the trade addresses a major need. The Ravens struggled to consistently pressure quarterbacks last season, finishing near the bottom of the league in sacks. Adding a relentless pass rusher like Crosby instantly upgrades that unit and gives the defense a centerpiece to build around alongside two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson on the other side of the ball.
Meanwhile, the Raiders appear focused on stockpiling draft capital as they reshape the roster. Crosby had been the face of the defense since being drafted in 2019, piling up sacks, quarterback hits and tackles for loss while becoming one of the league’s most disruptive defenders. But with multiple first-round picks now in hand, Las Vegas is clearly prioritizing the long-term rebuild over holding onto its biggest defensive star.
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Related: Why the Maxx Crosby Trade is a Win for Everyone
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.