Maxx Crosby was almost gone, traded away for two first-round picks to the Ravens. Yeah, you read that right. The Raiders actually tried to ship off their star edge rusher, but in a wild turn, the Ravens reneged on the deal after Crosby failed his physical due to long-term concerns about his surgically repaired left knee. Talk about dodging a bullet, or maybe a full-blown crisis, depending on how you look at it.
The Deal That Nearly Crushed Vegas
Can you believe it? The Ravens were ready to fork over two whole first-round picks for Crosby. That’s a massive haul for any player, but for a guy like Crosby, it shows just how highly he’s valued around the league. Imagine getting those picks, but losing *that* kind of defensive force. The Ravens put him through the physical, saw his knee, and just said, “Nope, we’re out.” It’s a wild scenario, right? The Raiders had him traded, and then boom, he’s back in the silver and black. And honestly, it sounds like he wouldn’t have it any other way. A report this week says the Raiders now have “no plans” to trade him again, which, thank goodness.
Crosby’s All In, And The Numbers Don’t Lie
Even at 29, Crosby is still playing at an insane level, and he “likely could still bring two first-round picks to the Raiders” if they tried to move him. But why would you? The dude is an absolute beast. This season, he’s already racked up 22 tackles, blasted through for three sacks, forced a fumble, had a pass defensed, and hit the quarterback 18 times. That’s a disruptive force, pure and simple. He’s practically living in opposing backfields, playing a ridiculous 88 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. That’s dedication, that’s leadership, and that’s exactly what you need.
And Crosby? He’s not just performing, he’s *invested*. He said it himself, loud and clear: “I love being a Raider. I’ve said that a million times. This is where I want to be. Super excited, obviously for the present, but also for what’s to come.” The guy is all about the present, focusing on what’s right now, especially with the team sitting at a 4-4 record. He loves the locker room, he loves the guys, and he’s hyped on the leadership around him. That kind of passion? That’s contagious, and it’s exactly what a team needs in the thick of the regular season. He’s not thinking long term beyond his commitment to the team, saying, “I’m not thinking too far down the road. I’m being present. We’re 4-4. We’ve got a really good football team.” You can tell he truly believes in this squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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