Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has opened up on his failed trade to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens were on the verge of pulling off the biggest trade in their history in terms of the picks on offer (two first-rounders), but ultimately backed out of the deal.
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What transpired after the agreement will be one of the more talked-about NFL controversies this year. And Crosby has broken his silence on it.
Speaking on his podcast, ‘The Rush with Maxx Crosby’, this week, the player said he was fearful when Ravens executives told him his physical result raised some flags with team doctors.
The 28-year-old said he reported to the team’s facility on March 10 and underwent routine testing, including MRIs, X-Rays and various other tests.
Crosby did have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in January, and teams around the league had consulted with his doctors before making offers.
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The Pro Bowler claimed he didn’t meet new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter until after the physical and never even met with general manager Eric DeCosta.
“I didn’t get to see the GM at all. I thought I was gonna see him when I first got there. I didn’t see him for five hours,” he said.
“I don’t know why. I am not gonna speculate. I even asked, ‘Where’s Eric (DeCosta)?’ You know what I mean? He just made the trade. I didn’t see him for five hours.”
Crosby said he felt like something was off once he met Minter.
“I’m so excited, fired up. This is a new opportunity, and you could just tell the energy was off. I dapped (Minter) up, he had a blank face,” Crosby continued. “(DeCosta) was standing the hall, in the room next to me to the right. And that was the first time I seen him.”
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Maxx Crosby Wasted no Time Returning to Vegas
Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby in the tunnel. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
(Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
According to Crosby, the team told him they would seek additional opinions and get back to him.
He left the facility for his hotel, calling his agent, CJ LaBoy, and surgeon, Neal ElAttrache.
“The first thought in my head, I was terrified,” he continued. “It just kind of hit me, like, what the [expletive]? Is there something wrong? I’m freaking out. Lowkey and deep down, I’m like, I can’t get another surgery.”
Crosby says he received a phone call from someone with the Ravens who told him they were trying to sort a deal out. However, just minutes later, LaBoy called to say that they were backing out.
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“I’m frozen. I’m like, ‘What the [expletive],” Crosby said. “I’m [expletive] livid, confused, the whole nine all in one. And so I told (LaBoy), ‘I’m trying to get out of here.’”
Crosby flew back to Vegas that evening and was back in training at the Raiders facility the following morning.
“I wasn’t supposed to be in Baltimore, and that’s it,” he said. “I’m meant to be a Raider. It’s through my damn core.”
Related: Eagles Trade for 3-Time Pro Bowl Quarterback
This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.