Bengals Star WR Furious Over Maxx Crosby Trade to Ravens

Ja'Marr Chase blasts his own team for letting the star pass rusher join a division rival.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase expressed outrage on a Twitch livestream after learning that defensive end Maxx Crosby had been traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens. Chase, who will now have to face Crosby and the improved Ravens defense, criticized the Bengals for letting the Pro Bowl pass rusher join a division rival, especially after the team recently lost four-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson in free agency.

Why it matters

The Bengals were already facing an uphill battle in the AFC North after losing Hendrickson, and now they'll have to contend with Crosby and the Ravens' defense, led by new coordinator Jesse Minter, who is seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks. This trade further widens the gap between the Bengals and their division rivals, putting more pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow and Chase to keep Cincinnati competitive.

The details

Crosby, 28, was traded from the Raiders to the Ravens in exchange for two first-round draft picks. The news of the trade prompted an angry reaction from Chase, who was streaming on Twitch when he received a text from Burrow about the deal. Chase expressed his frustration with the Bengals for letting Crosby join a division rival, saying, "I'm f**king highly pissed right now. Oh my God, how the f**k do we let this na go to the f**king division bro?"

  • The trade was announced on March 8, 2026.

The players

Ja'Marr Chase

A star wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Maxx Crosby

A 28-year-old defensive end who was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens.

Joe Burrow

The quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, who texted Chase about the Crosby trade.

Jesse Minter

The new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who is seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks.

John Harbaugh

The longtime head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who is expected to step down after the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Joe [Burrow] just f**king texted me, Ravens traded for Maxx Crosby. No f**king sh*t, brother. I'm f**king highly pissed right now. Oh my God, how the f**k do we let this na go to the f**king division bro?”

— Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver (Twitch)

What’s next

The Bengals will have to find a way to address their pass rush issues in the offseason, either through the draft or free agency, in order to keep pace with the improved Ravens defense.

The takeaway

This trade highlights the ongoing challenge for the Bengals to remain competitive in the AFC North, as their division rivals continue to make moves to strengthen their rosters. The loss of Trey Hendrickson and the addition of Maxx Crosby to the Ravens' defense puts even more pressure on Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase to carry the Bengals to success.