The Baltimore Ravens are a tight-lipped organization. When they make moves to improve their roster, you’re not going to hear many rumors. It’s likely going to come out of nowhere. Still, fans have been frantic about the team making improvements after a very disappointing 2025 campaign.
Many fans have been hoping that Baltimore’s offseason included a massive boost by way of a trade for Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby. The Ravens haven’t necessarily been name-dropped much in trade rumors surrounding Crosby, but the pairing would make a ton of sense, and there was reason to believe he should've been at the top of their target list. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like it’ll be happening.
During Tuesday’s NFL Combine interviews, Raiders general manager John Spytek highlighted that he’s confident that Crosby will remain in Las Vegas for the 2026 season. While he admitted that the front office is always listening to trade talks, there seems to be a very unlikely chance that he’s traded this offseason.
“Maxx is an elite player,” Spytek said. “We're in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them. It’s hard to build a great team without elite players…Maxx and I have had great conversations, so I’m comfortable [knowing he wants to stay in Vegas].”
Crosby was a dream target for Ravens fans. Now, with the window of opportunity on those trade talks almost entirely closed, they can kiss that dream goodbye.
Ravens’ pursuit of pass rush help won’t come by way of Maxx Crosby
The Ravens need to bolster their defensive line. DeCosta and new head coach Jesse Minter talked about the importance of improving the pass rush at the Combine. The best defenses in the NFL, and the teams that have won Super Bowls in recent years, have made their presence felt by rushing the passer. Baltimore hasn’t done that recently.
The team’s defense in 2025 only registered 30 sacks, which ranked tied for third-worst in the NFL. What makes it look worse is that they didn’t have a pass rusher who was even average. Defensive tackle Travis Jones led the unit with five sacks, but he’s more of a run defense-focused lineman. Their top pass rush-focused defender was outside linebacker Tavius Robinson with 4.5 sacks. That must change in 2026.
As Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver prepare to unleash an intimidating defense this upcoming season, they’ll need to land a dominant presence to strike fear into opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks. Crosby would’ve been that, but with him off the table, they’ll have to look to the free agent market.
Luckily, there is some quality talent set to hit free agency. Trey Hendrickson is the top name, but he may price himself out of Baltimore with his 39 sacks over the last three seasons.
Veterans Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa may be more realistic, as they’re still effective, and could help develop 2025 second-round pick Mike Green into the electric pass rusher many thought he could be coming out of last year’s draft.
Others like K’Lavon Chaisson and Jaelan Phillips are worth a call, and Dre’Mont Jones is deserving of an extension.
Even if Crosby is available, he was already expected to cost at least two first-round picks. Las Vegas’s reluctance to trade him will only drive up that price, and with so many other competitors in that market, it might be best for the Ravens to keep themselves out of those trade talks.
After hiring Minter, there's clearly a heavy emphasis on a defensive renaissance. You can say that the unit only goes as far as the pass rushers take them. There are plenty of other ways to improve the pass rush, and with defensive geniuses in Minter and Weaver leading the way, they should be plenty more effective in 2026.