Maxx Crosby Reveals Details of Failed Ravens Trade, Knee Concerns

Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby experienced a whirlwind of emotions recently as a potential trade to the Baltimore Ravens fell apart at the last minute, leaving him initially “livid” and “confused,” according to reports. Crosby detailed the experience on a recent episode of his podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby, shedding light on the failed deal and his subsequent relief at remaining with the Raiders.

The Raiders had reportedly agreed to send Crosby to Baltimore in exchange for a package including two first-round draft picks. However, the Ravens ultimately backed out of the agreement following concerns raised during Crosby’s physical examination. The specifics of those concerns centered around Crosby’s surgically repaired knee, a point of significant anxiety for the Pro Bowler.

“A couple hours, maybe an hour and a half in, to go get MRIs and x-rays and all that s–t,” Crosby recounted on his podcast. He described a familiar process of re-examining previous injuries – a labrum repair, knee work, ankle issues, and hand surgeries – as standard procedure. However, the extended duration of the scans and the subsequent atmosphere shifted his perspective. “I was… You know, What we have is the thing, bro. Like, I don’t, everyone’s got their own theory, conspiracy theory, no one really will ever admit on either side what the real truth is or whatever. And it doesn’t even matter. I am where I’m supposed to be. I know that. I’ll just say that.”

Crosby expressed frustration with the lack of direct communication from the Ravens’ front office during the process. He specifically noted his desire to meet with head coach John Harbaugh to discuss football, a meeting that didn’t materialize until late in the day. He also didn’t encounter General Manager Eric DeCosta for five hours, a fact that struck him as unusual. “I didn’t witness him one time. I even asked the girl, I was like, ‘Where’s Eric?’ You know what I mean? He just made the trade, like, I didn’t see him.”

The turning point came when Ravens medical personnel voiced concerns about Crosby’s knee. “So, I go and do my thing. At the end, they’re like, yeah, I’ll take you up. Joe was like, I’ll take you up, you go see the head coach, whatever, just before you leave. I was like, hell yeah. So, I guess, you know, I want to say what’s up to him. I went back up, and I dapped them up, and they could just notify, like, the energy was a little bit off, and the GM was standing in the hall, like, in the room next to me to the right.”

Crosby described a noticeably subdued demeanor from DeCosta. “I dapped him up, he had, like, a blank face. And I’m like… ‘Okay,’ I’m not thinking anything of it, maybe it’s just different. I don’t know. I go into the room, they sit me down on the couch, and he’s like, ‘Man, I don’t know how to say this, but, you know, one of our doctors has concerns with, you know, with the results or whatever, and, like, with your knee, like, some of them have, you know, are concerned about the future, da, da, da, da, and, um, you know, we really want you, and this is what it is, but, you know, we’re just gonna have to get more and more opinions.’”

The news triggered immediate anxiety for Crosby, who relies heavily on Dr. Neal ElAttrache for his surgical care. “And I was like, the first thought in my head, like, I was terrified, given that I’m thinking in my head, like, what the f–k? Like, I just had Neal, Neal ElAttrache, best f–king surgeon in the country, like, the best of the best, he’s done all my surgeries. For the most part, like, that’s my guy. Like, I’d go to his house. Like, that’s my dude. Like, he’s the best. So, I haven’t even gotten to talk to him or I haven’t gotten to talk to [my agent] C.J. So it just kind of hit me. I’m like, ‘What the f–k? Is there something wrong?’ Like, I’m freaking out. Like, low key and deep down. I’m like, ‘I can’t get another surgery. This is f–ked up.’ So I’m f–king, like, ‘What is going on, bro?’”

Crosby underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus, and his agent, CJ LaBoy, released a statement following the trade collapse affirming that the 28-year-old is “on track to return during the offseason program [and] will undoubtedly return as the dominant game wrecker he has been these past [seven] seasons.”

Despite the initial shock and uncertainty, Crosby ultimately expressed contentment with remaining in Las Vegas. While the Raiders could still consider trade offers as the draft approaches, Crosby appears committed to continuing his career with the team. The failed trade serves as a reminder of the complexities of NFL transactions and the significant role medical evaluations play in determining a player’s future.