Ravens Opt for Hendrickson Over Crosby in Free Agency

Baltimore signs Bengals star pass rusher to lucrative multi-year deal after failed trade for Raiders' Maxx Crosby

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:04pm

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The Baltimore Ravens were close to acquiring star edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders in a blockbuster trade, but the deal fell through at the last minute due to a failed physical. The Ravens then pivoted and signed longtime Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a lucrative multi-year contract.

Why it matters

The Ravens have been in desperate need of a dominant pass rusher to bolster their defense, and landing either Crosby or Hendrickson would have been a major coup. While Crosby is younger, Hendrickson has been the more productive and consistent player in recent seasons, making multiple Pro Bowls. This decision will have major implications for the Ravens' defense and their chances of competing in the AFC North.

The details

Crosby, 29, has 69.5 sacks over his 7-year career, while the 30-year-old Hendrickson has 81 sacks in his 10 NFL seasons. Hendrickson has also made 4 Pro Bowls compared to Crosby's 5, and has 1 First-Team All-Pro selection. In terms of advanced stats, Hendrickson edges out Crosby in tackles for loss, quarterback hits, and overall PFF grade, though Crosby has been better in pressures. Financially, Hendrickson's new 4-year, $112 million deal with the Ravens has $60 million guaranteed, while Crosby's 3-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders includes $91.5 million guaranteed.

  • On March 10, 2026, the Ravens were close to acquiring Maxx Crosby from the Raiders in a trade.
  • On March 11, 2026, the Ravens' trade for Crosby fell through due to a failed physical.
  • On March 12, 2026, the Ravens announced the signing of Trey Hendrickson to a 4-year, $112 million contract.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A 29-year-old edge rusher who has spent his entire 7-year NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders, making 5 Pro Bowls.

Trey Hendrickson

A 30-year-old edge rusher who has spent the last 4 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, making 4 Pro Bowls and 1 First-Team All-Pro selection.

Eric DeCosta

The General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens.

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What they’re saying

“We must do what's best for this team and organization, and that means making tough decisions. Trey Hendrickson is a proven pass rusher who will make an immediate impact for us.”

— Eric DeCosta, General Manager, Baltimore Ravens (wmar2news.com)

What’s next

The Ravens will look to integrate Hendrickson into their defense as they aim to compete for a division title and Super Bowl berth in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Ravens' decision to pivot from Maxx Crosby to Trey Hendrickson shows their commitment to upgrading their pass rush, even if it means paying a premium for an older but more proven commodity. This move could pay dividends for Baltimore's defense, but also carries significant financial risk if Hendrickson's production declines in the coming years.