The Baltimore Ravens have canceled a high-profile trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, sending Maxx Crosby back to the Raiders after he failed his physical. The trade, which would have sent two first-round picks to the Raiders, including the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, collapsed just three days after being announced.

Failed physical ends blockbuster deal

The Ravens’ decision to withdraw from the deal came after Crosby failed his medical evaluation with the team. According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, the Ravens were not satisfied with the results of the medical evaluation, which raised concerns about Crosby’s long-term health.

Crosby had been dealing with injury issues over the past two seasons, including a meniscus injury that forced him to miss the final two games of the 2025 regular season. He also underwent surgery on his ankle in December 2024. The Ravens were concerned that these injuries could have lingering effects on his performance.

Crosby posted on Instagram that he had been in Baltimore for the medical evaluation, suggesting that the Ravens had access to detailed information about his condition. Jones noted that the Ravens were clearly not satisfied with the medical report, leading to their decision to withdraw from the trade.

Impact on both teams

The collapse of the trade has left both teams in a difficult position. The Ravens had been struggling to make major moves in free agency, having lost several key players, including All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, and defensive end Dre’Mont Jones.

The Ravens were desperate for a pass rusher, ranking 29th in sacks and 28th in pass-rush win rate in the 2025 season. With the assumption that they would acquire Crosby, they did not make many major moves in the first two days of free agency. Their acquisition of offensive lineman John Simpson for $30 million over three years was a positive move, but it did not fill the void left by their departed stars.

The Raiders, on the other hand, had invested heavily in free agency, spending over $240 million to bring in players to raise the team’s floor. They were hoping to add a star pass rusher like Crosby to bolster their defense. Now, they are left with no guarantees that Crosby will remain with the team in 2026.

According to Jones, it is unlikely that the Raiders will receive a similar offer from another team. While the Chicago Bears have been linked to Crosby, they have only the 25th pick in the upcoming draft. The Cowboys and Bengals may be interested, but they are unlikely to trade their top picks for Crosby.

Implications for the NFL draft

The collapse of the trade has left the Ravens with two valuable first-round picks, which they can now use to address their needs in the upcoming draft. However, the team may face scrutiny for backing out of a deal that was expected to be a blockbuster move.

According to Tom Pelissero, there is a consensus around the league that the Ravens did not handle the deal well. The trade was seen as a significant move, and backing out of it may cause distrust between the Ravens and other teams. This could affect future trades, as teams may be hesitant to engage in high-stakes deals with the Ravens.

For the Raiders, the situation is equally challenging. They invested heavily in free agency and were hoping to add a star pass rusher to their defense. Now, they are left to find another solution, possibly through the draft or another trade.

Despite the collapse, the Ravens have the opportunity to use their draft picks to address their needs. The 2026 NFL draft is expected to be a deep one, and the Ravens may be able to find a pass rusher who can fill the void left by Crosby.

As the free agency period continues, both teams will be watching closely to see what moves are made. The Ravens may still look to add a pass rusher through the draft or another trade, while the Raiders will need to find a way to bolster their defense without Crosby.