In a shocking turn of events just before the start of the 2026 league year, the blockbuster trade that was set to send Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens has officially collapsed. The trade was nullified because the defensive end reportedly failed his physical in Baltimore.
Crosby underwent surgery in January 2026 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury he reportedly played through for much of the 2025 season. While the official reason is medical, several league executives have suggested the Ravens may have developed cold feet over the massive price tag.
Maxx Crosby’s Surgeon Reveals DE’s Return Timeline
Crosby’s surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, provided a detailed medical update on the five-time Pro Bowler’s health. He believes that the issue wasn’t a lack of progress, but rather a difference in “future risk assessment” during the early stages of a complex recovery.
According to Dr. ElAttrache, Crosby is currently eight weeks post-op from surgery to repair a significant meniscus tear, which also involved treating a related stress injury to the bone and cartilage. He added this morning that Crosby is certainly on track and already feels much improved compared to his pre-surgery state.
The surgeon pointed out that while he respects the Ravens’ staff, the timing of the physical was unfortunate. Evaluating an elite athlete’s future risk just two months into a major knee recovery is difficult, especially when a team is committing two first-round picks and a massive contract.
“At this point, Max is doing an excellent job attacking his rehab and his knee is responding very well. We look forward to Maxx returning to his elite level of performance this season as planned and for several more to come,” ElAttrache said on ESPN.
What Does This Mean For Maxx Crosby, the Raiders and the Ravens?
The package Baltimore originally agreed to was unprecedented for their franchise. The Raiders would have received a 2026 1st-round pick (No. 14 overall) and a 2027 1st-round pick in exchange for the 28-year-old.
With the trade voided, the Raiders are suddenly back over the salary cap. With the trade voided, Crosby’s $35.7 million cap hit is back on the Raiders’ books. They must now find a way to fit Max Crosby’s contract alongside their new free agent signings, including Tyler Linderbaum, before today’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
By making the medical details public, Crosby’s camp is clearly trying to tell the rest of the league that he will be ready for the regular-season opener. They are protecting his trade value in case the Raiders attempt to shop him to a team with a higher risk tolerance, like the Cowboys or Lions.
Baltimore’s defense is now in a lurch. They allowed several key free agents to walk, including pass rusher Dre’Mont Jones, under the assumption that Crosby would be their anchor. After the deal fell through, the Ravens shifted and agreed to a much smaller trade for Rashan Gary from the Packers.
NFL Insider Shares Details About Failed Crosby Trade
The collapse of the Maxx Crosby blockbuster trade has shifted from a simple failed physical to a complex medical debate. While Crosby’s own surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, feels the star is certainly on track, NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed that the Ravens’ decision was based on the opinion of a different, highly expert.
“My understanding is that there were multiple doctors that reviewed his MRI scans,” Schefter said. “There were doctors that examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys doctor that performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers … many teams & players rely on Dr. Cooper’s expertise. And Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors that reviewed the images where the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.”
The Ravens prioritized long-term medical safety over short-term star power. They trusted the expertise of Dr. Daniel Cooper to walk away from a deal that would have cost them two first-round picks.
