Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby detailed on his podcast "The Rush" a potential trade to the Baltimore Ravens that collapsed due to medical concerns following his recent meniscus surgery. Crosby missed the final two games of the 2025 NFL season because of the injury.[1][2]
The 28-year-old Crosby, a fourth-round pick (106th overall) by the Raiders out of Eastern Michigan in 2019, described the sequence of events as "one of the most unique, crazy, wild, up-and-down roller coasters I’ve ever been a part of." He noted the timing coincided with celebrating six months of sobriety alongside his wife and agent.[3][4]
Crosby recounted flying to Washington, D.C., then driving to the Ravens' facility near Baltimore, where he waited five hours to meet general manager Eric DeCosta and defensive coordinator John Harbaugh's staff, including Jesse Minter. He said the Ravens expressed concerns from a doctor's review of his knee, leading them to seek additional opinions before backing out.[1][2]
Returning to Las Vegas on a private jet, Crosby posted on X: "Everything happens for a reason. Believe nothing you hear & half of what you see. I’m a Raider. I’m back. Run that s---."[1]
The Raiders open their facility early the next day, where Crosby arrived before 5 a.m. for a workout. Crosby is under contract with the Raiders through the 2026 season, his eighth in the NFL.[3][5]
In the 2024 season, Crosby appeared in 13 games, recording 49 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception despite the Raiders' 4-13 record. He earned Pro Bowl honors for the third time.[2][3]
Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders in Las Vegas, hosted several of Crosby's games last season, including against the Denver Broncos on December 7, 2025, and the Chicago Bears on September 28, 2025.[4]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "Maxx Crosby was set in stone to be the next Baltimore Ravens star...", publication date not specified (draft context January 2026), https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- Pro-Football-Reference.com, "Maxx Crosby Stats", accessed February 2026, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CrosMa00.htm
- NFL.com, "Maxx Crosby Player Page", accessed February 2026, https://www.nfl.com/players/maxx-crosby/
- Las Vegas Raiders official website, "Maxx Crosby Player Profile", accessed February 2026, https://www.raiders.com/team/players-roster/maxx-crosby/
- Wikipedia, "Maxx Crosby", accessed February 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxx_Crosby
