Ravens' Maxx Crosby Trade Canceled After Failed Physical; Team Signs Trey Hendrickson
The Baltimore Ravens' proposed trade to acquire defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders was canceled after Crosby reportedly failed his physical examination. Following the withdrawal from the agreement, the Ravens quickly signed defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract. The initial trade involving Crosby would have sent two first-round draft picks to the Raiders.
The planned acquisition of five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby fell through, leading the Ravens to secure Trey Hendrickson for a significant four-year, $112 million deal, retaining their valuable draft capital.
Maxx Crosby Trade Called Off After Failed Physical
On a Friday, the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders reportedly reached an agreement for a trade that would send five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby to Baltimore. The compensation for Crosby was slated to be the Ravens' No. 14 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft and a first-round selection in 2027. NFL trade rules stipulate that agreements are not official until a player passes a physical examination and the new league year commences.
Crosby, who will be 29 in August and has played seven seasons for the Raiders, traveled to Baltimore for his physical examination on the Tuesday following the reported agreement. He had undergone surgery in January for a meniscus tear in his knee, an injury through which he had played during the final two games of the previous regular season.
Following medical reviews, the Ravens' medical staff did not clear Crosby. General Manager Eric DeCosta stated that the decision to halt the trade was based on the medical assessment and his responsibility to the Ravens organization. Sources indicated that multiple physicians, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, reviewed Crosby's MRI scans and examinations, expressing concerns about the long-term prognosis of his left knee, despite a positive short-term outlook.
Maxx Crosby's agent, C.J. LaBoy, and his surgeon, Dr. Neal El Attrache, publicly stated that Crosby's recovery from knee surgery was progressing as planned and he was on track to return during the offseason program. Dr. El Attrache acknowledged the challenge of assessing future risk early in a recovery process.
The Raiders confirmed the Ravens' withdrawal from the trade agreement. This incident marks another instance where a Ravens' deal has been nullified due to a failed physical, with previous occurrences involving wide receiver Ryan Grant in 2018 and defensive tackle Michael Brockers in 2020.
Crosby's Reaction and Return to Raiders
Following the cancellation of the trade, Maxx Crosby returned to Las Vegas and began rehabilitation at the Raiders' facility. He later posted a statement on social media:
"Everything Happens For A Reason. Believe Nothing You Hear & Half Of What You See. I’m A Raider. I’m Back. Run That Sh*t."
Prior to the trade discussions, Crosby had reportedly expressed a desire to leave the Raiders after his relationship with the team changed following his placement on injured reserve in December due to his knee injury. Discussions with Raiders owner Mark Davis had reportedly led to a mutual agreement that a trade might be beneficial.
The Raiders have since informed other teams that Maxx Crosby will not be traded, and he is expected to remain with the team for his eighth season. His contract has four years and $115.8 million remaining, averaging $29 million per year. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles confirmed his team had expressed interest in trading for Crosby.
Ravens Pivot to Trey Hendrickson
Hours after the Maxx Crosby trade fell through, the Baltimore Ravens signed defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract. This agreement involved no draft picks.
Hendrickson, 31, joins the Ravens after five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and four with the New Orleans Saints. He is a four-time Pro Bowler with 81 career sacks and 15 forced fumbles. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks in 2024 with 17.5, earning first-team All-Pro honors and finishing as a runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. He has recorded double-digit sacks in four of his last six seasons.
Hendrickson also underwent core muscle surgery in January. During his introductory press conference, he expressed excitement to join the Ravens, noting the team's "high standard" and stating his belief that Baltimore offers his best opportunity to win a Super Bowl.
General Manager Eric DeCosta stated that the Ravens had initially aimed to acquire both Crosby and Hendrickson, with discussions for Hendrickson beginning after center Tyler Linderbaum's market-setting deal with the Raiders. The Ravens retained their two first-round draft picks as a result of the canceled Crosby trade.