Raiders Star Maxx Crosby Describes Strange Ravens Trade Collapse

Crosby says he didn't meet Ravens GM Eric DeCosta for 5 hours and the 'energy felt off' during his visit.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:04am

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Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby has opened up about the strange circumstances surrounding the collapse of a blockbuster trade that would have sent him to the Baltimore Ravens. Crosby described a bizarre visit to the Ravens' facility where he didn't meet with GM Eric DeCosta for five hours, and said the 'energy felt off' when he finally did meet with DeCosta. The Ravens ultimately backed out of the trade due to concerns about Crosby's surgically repaired knee.

Why it matters

The failed trade was a high-profile move that would have sent one of the NFL's top pass rushers to a new team. Crosby's account sheds light on the behind-the-scenes drama and miscommunication that can occur during major trade negotiations in the NFL.

The details

According to Crosby, the visit to Baltimore quickly took an unexpected turn. He said he 'didn't see [DeCosta] for five hours' and 'thought I was going to meet him right away and I never saw him.' When Crosby finally met with DeCosta, he said 'the energy felt off' and DeCosta had a 'blank face.' The Ravens then told Crosby that one of their doctors had concerns about his knee and they needed more medical opinions before finalizing the trade.

  • Crosby visited the Ravens' facility on March 15, 2026.
  • The Ravens ultimately backed out of the trade deal minutes after initially telling Crosby it would still go through.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A star defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders who was the subject of a failed blockbuster trade to the Baltimore Ravens.

Eric DeCosta

The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens who was involved in the trade negotiations with Crosby.

Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL team that ultimately kept Crosby after the trade with the Ravens fell through.

Baltimore Ravens

The NFL team that backed out of a trade to acquire Maxx Crosby due to concerns about his surgically repaired knee.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't see him [Eric DeCosta] for five hours. I thought I was going to meet him right away and I never saw him. When I finally got upstairs at the end of the day the energy felt off.”

— Maxx Crosby

“I go into the room. They sit me down on the couch and he's like, 'Man, I don't know how to say this, but you know, one of our doctors has concerns with, you know, with the results and whatever with your knee. Some of them are concerned about the future, and we really want you, and this is what it is, but you know, we're just going to have to get more and more opinions.'”

— Maxx Crosby

What’s next

The Ravens will continue to evaluate Crosby's medical status and determine if they will pursue a trade for him in the future.

The takeaway

This failed trade highlights the complex nature of NFL transactions and the importance of thorough medical evaluations, especially for high-profile players with injury histories. It also shows how miscommunication and shifting 'energy' can derail even the most promising trade talks.