If you missed it last night, the Ravens reportedly won the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes, sending two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in return.
Speculation about Crosby's potential fit with Baltimore had circulated for months. Lamar Jackson’s midday tweet seemed to hint at something big to come.
Still, when news broke a little after 9 p.m. Friday evening, it was a shocker.
Make no mistake. This is the most aggressive move in Ravens franchise history.
Never before in 31 years had the Ravens used a first-round pick to trade for a veteran player. In one night, General Manager Eric DeCosta reportedly used two – one in 2026 and one in 2027.
Here are my thoughts on the reported Crosby addition, as well as the rest of next week's free agency, all in 50 words or less:
- It's a lot to give up, but Crosby is worth it. He is one of the best defensive players in football. He's still just 28 years old. He plays the game how the Ravens want to play. He fills a big need. He's a perfect scheme fit. He's worth it.
- This reported move means the Ravens are clearing cap space somehow, unless the Raiders are picking up much of Crosby's $30 million tab. DeCosta said getting a Jackson extension done would allow them to pursue "big-ticket" items. Is more good news just around the corner?
- The AFC is wide open, and the Ravens just grabbed it by the neck. Baltimore hasn't been a "go-all-in" team in years past, but after eight years with Jackson have come up short of the Super Bowl, this is clearly a move to maximize the rest of this era.
- The Ravens have long been a draft-and-develop team. That will continue. But if one thing has become very clear this offseason, it's that Baltimore's leadership is not afraid to shake things up to get back in the playoffs and over the top.
- Crosby is the kind of player who can help hoist a Lombardi Trophy. Dominant defensive lines were a major reason why the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks won the past two Super Bowls – a fact that Head Coach Jesse Minter pointed out at the Combine.
- Crosby isn't just a pass rusher. He's a game wrecker. Crosby gets sacks (69.5 in seven seasons). But his jaw-dropping 28 tackles for loss last season ranked second only behind Myles Garrett. He's a menace vs. pass and run.
- Think about how much fun Minter can have with Crosby. The Ravens are loaded with defensive superstars at all levels, with Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith also being dominant forces. Especially if Nnamdi Madubuike returns, Baltimore's defense is going to be a nightmare to block.
- Crosby's desire to leave Las Vegas reportedly stemmed from them shutting him down with two games remaining in a lost season for the last-place Raiders. Crosby was furious and wanted to keep playing. He plays nearly every defensive snap. This man is a warrior who adds to the culture, too.
- What does this move mean for the rest of Ravens free agency? Could the Ravens still afford to get a deal done with center Tyler Linderbaum, or did they see the writing on the wall that he was going to be too coveted?
- The Ravens are going to see some good, young players leave in free agency over the course of next week. That's going to sting. But with a "Condor" set to fly with Ravens, Baltimore can take flight even though it will take some losses.
