NFL World's Reaction to Maxx Crosby Trade

Mar 07, 2026 at 12:15 PM

Justin Robertson

Editorial Assistant

Maxx Crosby is reportedly coming to Baltimore.

According to multiple reports, the Ravens' brain trust made an unprecedented move in franchise history Friday night, trading two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for Crosby. It marked the first time in franchise history that Baltimore sent a first-round pick, let alone two, for a veteran player.

The trade caused a seismic shift in the NFL landscape, as the Ravens added one of the league's top players to an already loaded roster that is vying for a Lombardi Trophy.

Here's how pundits reacted to the blockbuster move:

Maxx Crosby among all defensive linemen since 2019, when he entered the NFL:

#1 in tackles for loss (133)
#1 in solo tackles (277)
#2 in QB pressures (431)
#2 in QB hits (119)
#3 in total tackles (437)
#4 in batted passes (20)
#5 in sacks (69.5)

traded to the Baltimore Ravens pic.twitter.com/3ZtSAO6tkc
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 7, 2026

If you’d told me sun was coming up in the West tomorrow I’d have been less surprised than if you’d told me the Ravens were trading two first-round picks for a player.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) March 7, 2026

The Ravens had just 30 sacks in 2025. That was their fewest as a team in 15 years.

Their team leader had just 4.5 sacks.

A desperate pass rush gets fixed in a hurry with Maxx Crosby.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 7, 2026

The @Ravens will have @CrosbyMaxx making plays like these for them next season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/73yi0XGNqQ
— NFL (@NFL) March 7, 2026

Lamar was dropping hints ⌚ pic.twitter.com/TzhRrbQnTz
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 7, 2026

New Ravens HC Jesse Minter’s defense: pic.twitter.com/UK1NzzLI3g
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2026

New Ravens pass-rusher Maxx Crosby has produced four double-digit sack seasons in his 7-year career.

Over that span, the Ravens have had two edge rushers with 10 or more sacks in a season: Kyle Van Noy (12.5 in 2024) and Odafe Oweh (10 in 2024).

Game-changer.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) March 7, 2026

The last time Maxx Crosby was in Baltimore:

6 tackles
4 tackles for loss
2 sacks pic.twitter.com/e88jWxUoyF
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) March 7, 2026

Both the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys had been working on this for days. They kept communication with the Raiders.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were another team trying to put together a big trade package that would get it done.

Ravens win. https://t.co/5AV8vV3uyT
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 7, 2026

In less than seven months, two draft-oriented teams (Packers and Ravens) gave up two 1s for pass rushers. Highlights the importance of the position - and capitalizing on a win-now window.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 7, 2026

The Ravens got a dog!
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) March 7, 2026

Eric Decosta a savvy GM. Jon Spytek held his ground. Two 1's was where the conversation begun on Crosby. Multiple teams weren't willing to go there. Both GM's got what they wanted here, and I imagine, the player is happy, too. Vegas did Crosby right in the end and they got 2 1's.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 7, 2026

Maxx Crosby is a quarterback's worst nightmare 😳

Crosby has recorded 360 QB pressures since he entered the NFL in 2019, 29 more than Myles Garrett who is the next closest player. pic.twitter.com/5YZr7hVKIy
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 7, 2026

Over the last four seasons, Maxx Crosby has 45 TFLs on designed running plays. The next closest defensive lineman is Myles Garrett (30).

Crosby is as far from Garrett as Garrett is from 20th place.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 7, 2026

Are the Ravens the new Super Bowl favorites with Maxx Crosby in town? https://t.co/rQpCF2CMZe pic.twitter.com/xWvK9Kg4Mh
— PFF (@PFF) March 7, 2026

"This puts [the Ravens] at the forefront of Super Bowl contenders in the AFC."@LegerDouzable on the Ravens trading for Maxx Crosby pic.twitter.com/OnILMoCGbR
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) March 7, 2026