Ravens Backed Out of Maxx Crosby Trade, Signed Trey Hendrickson Instead

Analyst suggests Ravens needed those first-round picks as their roster was ravaged in free agency.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Baltimore Ravens were set to trade two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for defensive end Maxx Crosby, but the deal fell through after Crosby reportedly failed his physical. However, Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame believes the Ravens' real reason for backing out was that they needed those draft picks to address the numerous losses they suffered in free agency, including key players like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, and Patrick Ricard. The Ravens quickly pivoted and signed Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal the day after the Crosby trade fell through, leading to speculation they were already in talks with Hendrickson while Crosby was in Baltimore for his physical.

Why it matters

The failed Maxx Crosby trade and subsequent signing of Trey Hendrickson has raised questions about the Ravens' decision-making process and transparency. While the team cited Crosby's failed physical as the reason for backing out, the analyst's suggestion that the Ravens needed those draft picks to address their roster losses in free agency paints a different picture and highlights the complex nature of player personnel decisions in the NFL.

The details

According to reports, the Ravens were set to trade two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for defensive end Maxx Crosby. However, the deal fell through after Crosby reportedly failed his physical due to a knee injury he was recovering from. Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame believes the Ravens' real reason for backing out of the trade was that they needed those draft picks to address the numerous losses they suffered in free agency, including the departures of players like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Jordan Stout, Patrick Ricard, Alohi Gilman, and Keaton Mitchell. The Ravens quickly pivoted and signed Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal the day after the Crosby trade fell through, leading to speculation that they were already in talks with Hendrickson while Crosby was in Baltimore for his physical.

  • On March 15, 2026, the Ravens were set to trade two first-round picks to the Raiders in exchange for Maxx Crosby.
  • On March 16, 2026, the Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade, citing that Crosby failed his physical.
  • Also on March 16, 2026, the Ravens signed Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders who was set to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens before the deal fell through.

Trey Hendrickson

A defensive end who the Baltimore Ravens signed to a four-year deal after the Maxx Crosby trade fell through.

Matt Verderame

A Sports Illustrated analyst who believes the Ravens' real reason for backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade was to address their roster losses in free agency.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Baltimore's version: Crosby failed a physical due to his repaired left meniscus, and the trade was voided because of that designation. Is that true? Sure, there's a reasonable possibility Crosby failed the physical. The more likely reality is Baltimore watched as its roster got ravaged in free agency, including the losses of Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Jordan Stout, Patrick Ricard, Alohi Gilman and Keaton Mitchell, and realized it needed those two first-round picks slated for the Raiders in the Crosby trade.”

— Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated Analyst (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

The Ravens will now move forward with Trey Hendrickson as they look to address the roster losses they suffered in free agency.

The takeaway

The failed Maxx Crosby trade and subsequent signing of Trey Hendrickson has raised questions about the Ravens' decision-making process and transparency. While the team cited Crosby's failed physical as the reason for backing out, the analyst's suggestion that the Ravens needed those draft picks to address their roster losses in free agency paints a different picture and highlights the complex nature of player personnel decisions in the NFL.