Ripple Effects of Failed Maxx Crosby Trade on Raiders, Ravens and Rest of NFL

The Baltimore Ravens backed out of a blockbuster trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, which will cause major ripple effects across the NFL at the busiest time of the offseason. 

Late Tuesday, the Raiders confirmed that the Ravens are out on a deal that would've netted them Crosby in exchange for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.

As a result, the Ravens' and Raiders' salary-cap departments need to go into overdrive before the new league year officially starts on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Other teams may reconsider moves that happened in the wake of the massive trade, too.

League executives, players and reporters are in shock because deals of this magnitude don't fall apart at such an important time for roster building. So, let's sort out the implications across the league.

What does the failed trade mean for the Raiders, Ravens and teams that showed interest in Crosby?

Raiders Must Figure Out if Crosby Stays or Goes

AP Photo/Ian Maule

Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek

The Raiders have to make a quick decision on Crosby's future. 

If they retain him, the front office must account for his sizeable contract and how it fits with the team's new additions. That would impact how general manager John Spytek approaches the next waves of free agency.

It would also be an awkward transition back to the status quo. According to The Athletic's Vic Tafur, Raiders owner Mark Davis and Crosby had a sit-down and agreed that it was time to part ways.

"So the Raiders' owner went to Maxx Crosby's house two months ago, and the two talked for hours about the pass-rusher's issues with the present state of affairs in Las Vegas," Tafur wrote. "They shared some laughs about the past and then agreed that maybe it was time to have different futures."

Tafur's report aligns with comments from Jay Glazer of Fox Sports that Crosby didn't want to go through another rebuild.

Tafur also referenced Crosby's discord with team wellness coordinator Alex Guerrero, a storyline that MMQB's Albert Breer raised following Super Bowl LX.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders are "listening" to several inquiries for Crosby, but they're willing to keep him.

Raiders Must Re-Calculate $281 Million Allocated to Free-Agent Signings

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum

During the legal tampering period, the Raiders spent more than $281 million on seven signings, per Over the Cap. All of those deals are worth $10 million or more annually.

If Crosby's $35.8 million cap number puts them in a bind, the Raiders may have to rework or rescind agreements with pending free-agent acquisitions. Fortunately, the Raiders entered the offseason flush with more than $121 million in cap space. 

Regardless of what happens with Crosby, the Raiders should be able to finalize most of their deals. With rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza likely heading to Las Vegas on draft day, the front office may prioritize center Tyler Linderbaum's market-setting three-year, $81 million pact.

Besides Linderbaum, Las Vegas also spent a significant amount on its new linebackers, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, who agreed to three-year deals worth $76.5 million combined, per Spotrac.com. 

If the Raiders are open to retaining Crosby, they could try to rework one of their edge-rusher contracts with Kwity Paye, who agreed on a three-year, $48 million deal, or Malcolm Koonce, who agreed to a one-year, $11 million pact.

Baltimore Ravens Are Taking Big Losses in Free Agency

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta

As the Ravens went through the process of acquiring Crosby, they allowed several free agents to walk, including three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum.

Entering the new league year, the Ravens won't have a star pass-rusher to bolster their 30th-ranked pass defense from last season. They also lack depth across the roster and could still lose Linderbaum to the Raiders if they finalize his deal on Wednesday.

The Ravens have been Super Bowl contenders with two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson, but if they're unable to retool their roster following the initial waves of free agency, they could struggle to rebound from an 8-9 season.

Baltimore would have to hit on multiple draft picks to address its subpar pass rush, which finished 28th in pressure rate last year, replace Linderbaum and strengthen shallow areas on the depth chart. 

That's a tough task for any general manager. The Ravens must act fast as teams add the top available free agents. They may not find teams eager to make deals with them after the fallout of his high-profile trade.

Delaying a Crosby Trade Until After the 2026 Draft

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Ravens flagged Crosby's knee for medical concerns during his physical. His recovery timetable will be a significant factor in any trade talks going forward.

According to Rapoport, Crosby underwent a full meniscus repair rather than a trim, which is important to note.

"Sources clarified that Crosby actually underwent a minor meniscus repair—not a trim—on Jan. 7, meaning his recovery will be measured in months, not weeks," Rapoport wrote. "A meniscus trim is often 4-6 weeks of recovery, while a repair can be 3-4 months."

Based on that timeline, Crosby could be in better shape after the 2026 draft, and teams may prefer to wait until late spring to make a deal that includes premium capital.

A post-draft trade wouldn't be ideal for the Raiders. They would miss out on a blue-chip prospect who can contribute this year and lose their best defensive player. Yet if the Raiders don't trade Crosby this offseason, his trade value could dip next year ahead of his age-30 campaign. 

In all likelihood, the Raiders will need to accept a significantly lesser trade package than they received from the Ravens, or risk keeping a player who may be on the decline after several surgeries.

Cowboys Not Expected to Re-Engage in Trade Talks for Crosby

AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter

Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Dallas Cowboys aren't expected to reopen talks for Crosby.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Cowboys agreed to acquire edge-rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Before the Raiders dealt Crosby to the Ravens, Dallas offered a 2026 first-rounder and a 2027 second-rounder for him, per Schefter. Without that deal on the table, other teams can jump in with lesser proposals, though the Raiders may balk at lowball offers.

Teams like the Chicago Bears, who were linked to Crosby and are still in need of pass-rushing help, could be strong suitors. 

Every team has a different threshold for medicals. Although the Ravens had concerns about Crosby's knee, other clubs may have a different perspective, especially if they offer lesser trade packages. 

Team salary cap and player contract details are provided by Over the Cap, unless otherwise noted.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.