The Baltimore Ravens made a trade nobody expected on Friday. They made an all-in move for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, dealing two first-round picks to acquire him.
Despite the countless rumors surrounding Crosby and the Raiders, no one was sure if they’d actually move him. Even if they did, Ravens fans didn’t necessarily expect general manager Eric DeCosta to move on from a Micah Parsons-esque trade package. Well, DeCosta came pretty close to that, moving on from those first rounders in 2026 and 2027.
This is a first for the Ravens. DeCosta doesn’t love to trade draft picks, and this trade made some franchise history. They hadn’t ever traded a first-round pick for a veteran player, and for Crosby, they had to trade two.
Ravens decision makers have been in Florida meeting with owner Steve Bisciotti.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 7, 2026
They'll exit the meetings with a game-changing pass rusher. The Ravens haven't traded a first-round pick for a veteran player in team history. Until this deal for Maxx Crosby.
Baltimore Ravens made franchise-defining move for Maxx Crosby
Following the firing of John Harbaugh, it was obvious that Baltimore would have a far more aggressive approach this offseason. They ended a very long and successful era to shift the momentum and get the most out of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s prime. I’m not sure if anyone knew they were going to be this aggressive and make such a bold move for Crosby, though.
Yes, the rumors surrounding Crosby were seemingly endless. Yes, the Ravens were a team that brought in said rumors. However, history would’ve told you that the asking price would’ve been too high for Baltimore’s front office. They’ve very rarely diverted from the draft-focused approach. Evidently, this was one of those moments where they needed to change their approach.
After seeing how the defense played last year, this makes total sense. No one would've expected the Ravens to trade two first-round picks in a million years, but they had one of the worst pass rush units in the NFL last year. They had just 30 sacks and needed a top-tier edge rusher. Throwing Crosby into the mix instantly makes them a feared unit.
There’s also value in trading for an elite player under contract for the next few seasons. Crosby is under contract through the 2029 season and earns a team-friendly $30 million per year. The five-time Pro Bowler may look to re-negotiate that eventually, but for now, the Ravens won’t have to worry about rebuilding their defensive front for a while. Crosby, Mike Green, Nnamdi Madubuike, and Travis Jones are all locked into deals with multiple years left.
It seems that just as Harbaugh left, so did the old passive Ravens. Following Harbaugh’s firing, owner Steve Bisciotti made it clear he was done waiting for the Super Bowl; he’s willing to do everything it takes to go take it. Times are changing, and the Crosby trade may just be the start.