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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 28: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears may have just received an unexpected second chance in the pursuit of star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.

In a extremely surprising development Tuesday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Baltimore Ravens have backed out of a potential trade agreement with the Las Vegas Raiders involving Crosby.

“Trades are not official until the league year begins,” Rapoport wrote on X.

The Raiders released a brief statement confirming the situation.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby. We will have no further comment at this time.”

The news quickly sent shockwaves across the NFL.  Crosby had widely been expected to land in Baltimore once the new league year officially begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Trades agreed to during the legal tampering window cannot become official until the start of the new league year.

The sudden twist could reopen the door for other teams around the league that had previously been linked to Crosby, including the Bears.

Report: Maxx Crosby Failed Physical Before Trade Collapse

Shortly after the Raiders confirmed the trade had collapsed, The Athletic insider Dianna Russini reported a key detail that may explain why Baltimore backed out of the deal.

“Maxx Crosby did not pass his physical today, per sources,” Russini wrote on X. “The Ravens get their first-round picks back.”

If accurate, the failed physical would explain the sudden reversal after what had appeared to be a completed blockbuster trade. Crosby is coming off a significant knee injury, and teams acquiring a player in a trade must still clear the medical evaluation before the deal can be finalized.

For now, Crosby remains with the Raiders. But other teams like the Cowboys and Bears will come calling quickly.

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