Crosby Trade Collapses Over Knee Concerns; Raiders Keep Star

Crosby Trade Collapses Over Knee Concerns; Raiders Keep Star

In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, a blockbuster trade sending star defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens has been called off. The deal, initially agreed upon last Friday, was nullified on Tuesday following a failed physical examination by the Ravens, leaving Crosby back on the Raiders’ roster and raising significant questions about his knee and the future of both franchises.

Medical Mystery Derails Ravens Deal

The crux of the collapsed trade lies in differing interpretations of Maxx Crosby’s knee condition. Crosby underwent surgery eight weeks ago and was only recently off crutches. While his surgeon, Dr. Neil Elatro, expressed confidence that Crosby is on schedule for the start of the regular season, the Ravens’ medical staff, after reviewing scans and consulting with outside experts, including the renowned Dr. Cooper of the Dallas Cowboys, were not comfortable approving the physical. This led to the Ravens backing out of the deal, citing concerns about the long-term implications of Crosby’s knee for his playing career and the substantial investment of two first-round draft picks.

“The only analogy I could use is if you were to go buy a brand new house and it looked beautiful and you toured it online and then you agreed to purchase the home and you had an inspector come through who said he was worried about this and worried about that, would it make you nervous about executing that deal? Probably.”

This sentiment, echoed by the reporting team, highlights the Ravens’ perspective. They felt they were making a significant commitment, and the physical revealed information that made them hesitant to proceed. The Raiders, however, reportedly believe the Ravens “got cold feet,” suggesting that the medical concerns may have been exacerbated by the pressure of finalizing such a high-stakes transaction.

Raiders Re-Integrate Crosby, Ravens Retain Picks

With the trade now off the table, Maxx Crosby is back with the Raiders. His substantial contract, which was previously off their books, is now back on, impacting their salary cap. Crucially for Baltimore, they retain the 14th overall pick in the current year’s draft and their first-round selection for next year. This outcome leaves the Ravens without the pass-rushing force they coveted but with their future draft capital intact.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that many NFL deals agreed upon during the recent negotiating window are not yet official until a specific deadline. This leaves a window of uncertainty, though it’s unlikely the Ravens will revisit the Crosby trade. For the Raiders, the return of Crosby means they will honor all the free agency deals they agreed to, including those for defensive linemen like Quindell Johnson (Quiddy Pay). Reports suggest that even without the Crosby trade, the Raiders were prepared to heavily pursue and potentially sign other players like Tyler Linderbaum, indicating their financial flexibility.

What’s Next for Crosby and the Raiders?

The immediate future for Maxx Crosby is to focus on his recovery and health. While the Raiders have stated they will honor all their agreements, the dynamic surrounding Crosby has undeniably shifted. The Raiders, having planned their offseason around his potential departure, are now reportedly actively seeking to trade him again, aiming to move him sooner rather than later while potential suitors remain interested. Teams like Indianapolis and Chicago could emerge as possibilities, although Dallas, who consulted on Crosby’s physical, has indicated they are not planning to revisit a deal, seemingly content with their acquisition of Rashod Bateman.

The subjective nature of NFL physicals was underscored by the Drew Brees example from a decade ago, where he famously failed a physical with the Miami Dolphins before a successful one with the New Orleans Saints. It remains to be seen if another team will be comfortable making an offer for Crosby, especially given the recent medical review. For now, Maxx Crosby remains a Raider, but the lingering questions about his knee and the potential for another trade keep his future in Las Vegas uncertain.

Source: Should the Raiders try to trade Maxx Crosby AGAIN? Adam Schefter details… | Get Up (YouTube)