Ravens renege on Raiders Maxx Crosby, opening door for Rams Les Snead blockbuster

The Baltimore Ravens made an offer for edge rusher Maxx Crosby that the Las Vegas Raiders simply could not refuse. It was a package of two first-round picks, one in 2026 and one in 2027, that swayed the Raiders to give Baltimore the nod. But the legal tampering period is never official until the new NFL season begins.

And with player trades, the deal is not official until teams are afforded an opportunity to conduct a medical examination on all involved players.

Well, the Baltimore Ravens conducted their exam of Maxx Crosby and emerged with thumbs down. The trade will not proceed, and the Las Vegas Raiders, the same team that appeared to be willing to sign former Ravens center Tyler Lindenbaum to a record-setting contract, must now find the funds on their payroll to welcome Crosby back to the fold:

The immediate impact is that the agreement between the Raiders and Ravens is now null and void. That means the Raiders can enter into trade negotiations with any other interested team. While LA may view two first-round picks plus taking on Crosby's $30 million salary as too pricey, if the Raiders must scramble now to secure a Plan B option, perhaps their asking price for Crosby will drop as well.

Baltimore Ravens have a history of weaponizing physicals to balk on deals

This is not the first time the Baltimore Ravens have balked at an obligation through the use of a failed physical. In 2020, LA Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers appeared to be headed to Baltimore after they offered him a new contract. He failed his physical and ultimately returned to play for Los Angeles.

Coincidentally, the Ravens pivoted to Ndamukong Suh. Funny how history repeats itself.

The Ravens could be employing the same tactics as edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is reportedly about to announce his free agency decision.

It also never fails to send a message to the team that just signed a highly coveted player, center Tyler Lindenbaum, to a record-setting contract. The Raiders must now find the funds to pay their new center, while risking working overnight on a trade to shed Crosby before the start of the new NFL season.

Could general manager Les Snead have another blockbuster in him? Well, if he can get a better deal than two first-round picks, he may pull the trigger. NFL rumors connected the Rams to Maxx Crosby before, and this new development could create the scenario that Snead needs to ride in as the white knight once more.

While it may be unlikely, Snead has never shied away from a blockbuster trade. And what would send a louder 'All-In' message to the NFL than this team adding Maxx Crosby to an already formidable defense?

Stay tuned. And as always, thanks for reading.