Ravens Acquire Ferocious 2x All-Pro DE from Raiders

Texans' path to playoffs gets tougher after AFC rival's blockbuster trade

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Houston Texans' road back to the AFC playoffs just got more difficult after the Baltimore Ravens pulled off a blockbuster trade, sending two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro-Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby. The move is a clear message from Ravens GM Eric DeCosta that Baltimore's defense will be a force to be reckoned with once again after a down year in 2025.

Why it matters

The Texans and Ravens are both vying for playoff spots in the competitive AFC, so the addition of an elite pass rusher like Crosby to Baltimore's defense makes their path back to the postseason even more challenging. Houston's offensive line has been a weakness, and now they'll have to contend with one of the league's most dominant defensive ends twice a year.

The details

In the trade, the Ravens sent two first-round picks to the Raiders in exchange for Crosby, who has made the Pro Bowl in five of his six NFL seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in 2021 and 2022. The 27-year-old defensive end is known for his relentless motor and ability to get to the quarterback, recording 85 sacks over his career so far.

  • The trade was completed on March 6, 2026.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro-Bowl defensive end who was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens.

Eric DeCosta

The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens who orchestrated the trade to acquire Maxx Crosby.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to build a championship-caliber defense, and Maxx Crosby is the type of player who can help us get back to that level.”

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

What’s next

The Ravens and Texans are scheduled to face off twice during the 2026 NFL regular season, with their first matchup coming in Week 5 and the rematch in Week 14.

The takeaway

This trade is a clear sign that the Ravens are going all-in on rebuilding their defense to compete for a Super Bowl, while the Texans will have to find a way to shore up their offensive line to withstand the increased pressure from Crosby and the Ravens' revamped pass rush.