Sources confirmed on Friday night that the Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to trade five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. The 28-year-old pass rusher, who had two sacks against the Ravens in an upset in 2024, including one on Lamar Jackson, brings elite production to Baltimore. He has recorded 69.5 career sacks since 2019, which is more than double what any other Ravens player has done in that time.
Crosby, who had 10 sacks, 73 tackles, and a Pro Bowl nod in 2025 despite a late knee injury and the team’s decision to sit him, is going to Baltimore after seven seasons as the Raiders’ best defensive player. Las Vegas gets the 14th pick in 2026 and a first-round pick in 2027, which frees up $25.7 million in cap space and adds very little dead money. The Ravens won the deal after other teams, like the Cowboys, showed interest. Jesse Minter is the new coach.
- Baltimore Ravens: Crosby improves their weak pass rush (30 sacks in 2025, the second-fewest in franchise history), which fits with their “Play like a Raven” philosophy because he has a high motor and is good in the fourth quarter (22.5 sacks since 2019). Eric DeCosta, the general manager, put edge rushers at the top of his list, making Baltimore a contender.
- Maxx Crosby: He leaves a Raiders team that is rebuilding (3-14 in 2025) for a Ravens team that is trying to make the playoffs, which ends his frustration over not having many chances to play in the playoffs.
- Raiders Front Office: Two high-value picks speed up the rebuilding process around possible quarterback Fernando Mendoza, making room in the salary cap for free agents like Jaelan Phillips.
- Las Vegas Raiders Defense: They lost a double-digit sack machine (three of the last four years) that can’t be replaced. Draft picks like Akheem Mesidor may help, but the drop-off is steep.
- Raiders Fans: Crosby was the “heart and soul” of the team during five losing seasons and a lot of instability. Now that he’s gone, the team is looking to start over with coach Klint Kubiak.
- AFC North QBs: Stars like Joe Burrow and others have to deal with Crosby’s chaos twice a year, making the Ravens even more dangerous.
Crosby helps Lamar Jackson stay safe by scaring offenses late in games. He has the most tackles for loss in the last five minutes of games over the past seven years, which helps Baltimore win games after blowing 16 late leads in five seasons. The Raiders get draft picks to help them find wide receivers like Jordyn Tyson to go with Mendoza, but they will have to deal with the pain of rebuilding. This trade shows that the Ravens are serious about winning and the Raiders are going in a different direction with their young players.
