The Ravens’ big splash for Maxx Crosby is off.
The Las Vegas Raiders announced Tuesday that Baltimore has “backed out” of its reported trade for the star defensive end, abruptly negating what had been one of the biggest moves of the offseason.
“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the Raiders wrote on social media. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
The deal fell apart for medical reasons, according to the NFL Network, with reports indicating the Ravens were not comfortable assuming the risk associated with Crosby’s knee.
The trade was expected to send Crosby to the Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks (including the 14th overall pick this year), a significant return for a Raiders team in rebuilding mode and a rare, aggressive move from a Ravens club that has been seeking more disruption off the edge. Las Vegas also holds the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.
Crosby’s health has been a topic of discussion for months. He finished last season playing through a knee injury before the Raiders shut him down with two games remaining, a decision that upset him enough to leave the team facility. Crosby had left knee surgery in early January and said the procedure was successful.
This latest surprise leaves both sides in the same position as before, just under a much brighter spotlight. Baltimore keeps its first-round picks and looks to the market for help with its pass rush. The Raiders hold on to their most recognizable yet disgruntled defensive player, despite a week of trade rumors pointing toward a new direction. Trades also can’t be finalized until the new league year begins Wednesday, but this one didn’t even reach that stage.
Crosby, 28, has been a Pro Bowl selection each of the past five seasons and was twice named a second-team All-Pro. He registered 10 sacks in 15 games for the Raiders last season and has 69.5 sacks in 110 career games (104 starts).
For now, the blockbuster is dead. Whether it remains that way, the Raiders seek another trade partner, or it becomes a renegotiation once everyone is comfortable with the medicals, is the next question.
