Could the Ravens Land the Raiders Elite Pass Rusher in the 2026 Offseason?
The NFL offseason is in full swing, even with Super Bowl 60 still set for Sunday night. Several head coaching changes have already taken place, with the Baltimore Ravens at the forefront after hiring former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as the fourth head coach in franchise history. Baltimore hopes Minter can finally help Lamar Jackson and the roster get over the hump and reach Super Bowl Sunday for the first time with Jackson as the starting quarterback. With every offseason comes trade speculation surrounding unhappy players seeking a fresh start. One player dominating early NFL trade rumors is Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who has reportedly played his final games in the Silver and Black. According to FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer, Crosby is likely on his way out after becoming frustrated with the Raiders’ decision to bench him late in the season despite playing through a meniscus injury, a move aimed at improving their draft position. As a result, Crosby’s situation has generated major speculation about whether the Ravens could pursue the 28-year-old defender as a long-term answer on their defensive line.
The Ravens have emerged as a dream landing spot for Crosby, as Baltimore has been searching for another elite pass rusher for years. Since the mid-2010s, when franchise legends like Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Za’Darius Smith, and Matthew Judon either left or retired, the Ravens have struggled to replace that fear-inducing presence off the edge. As a result, Baltimore’s once-dominant pass rush has entered a plug-and-play era since 2019, frequently signing veteran options such as Kyle Van Noy, Justin Houston, Jadeveon Clowney, and Jason Pierre-Paul. With inconsistent production from veterans and stalled development from younger players like Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, the Ravens continue to lack a true star. Rookie Mike Green is still finding his footing, and Baltimore finished tied for the third-fewest sacks in the league last season with just 30. General manager Eric DeCosta has openly sought to restore that elite identity up front, and Crosby represents the type of difference-maker Baltimore has been missing.
If the Ravens were to land Crosby, the impact would be immediate. In his seven-year NFL career, Crosby has developed into one of the league’s premier pass rushers, constantly pressuring quarterbacks and altering games even when the Raiders’ roster around him struggled. The former 2019 fourth-round pick is a five-time Pro Bowler and has recorded double-digit sack totals four times. His best season came in 2023, when he finished with 14.5 sacks and a career-high 90 total tackles. Last season, defensive tackle Travis Jones led the Ravens with only five sacks, highlighting Baltimore’s need for help. Adding Crosby would instantly elevate the defense and give Baltimore a true tone-setter along the line. His presence alone would change how opposing offenses prepare each week.
The major caveat in a potential Ravens-Crosby deal comes down to cost. DeCosta and the front office would need to pay both a steep trade package and a massive contract extension to keep Crosby long-term. Historically, Baltimore has avoided overpaying for star talent, preferring to accumulate draft picks rather than enter bidding wars. That philosophy often makes blockbuster trades difficult. According to Glazer, any deal for Crosby would demand more than the recent Micah Parsons trade, in which Green Bay sent two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas. Such a price would test Baltimore’s long-standing roster-building approach and force DeCosta to consider whether elite talent outweighs long-term flexibility.
Baltimore currently holds the 14th overall pick in this year’s draft, along with the 45th selection in the second round. Any realistic package would likely center around those assets plus a high-upside player. On top of that, Crosby’s three-year, $106.5 million contract through 2029 carries a significant financial burden, with an annual cap hit north of $35 million. That figure would complicate Baltimore’s cap structure with stars like Marlon Humphrey, Roquan Smith, and Nnamdi Madubuike already commanding large deals. As a result, post-June 1st roster moves could become necessary. Veterans such as Humphrey, who experienced inconsistent play last season, could find themselves in difficult contract discussions if Baltimore chooses to pursue Crosby aggressively.
Ultimately, while Crosby represents the pass-rush savior Baltimore craves, the Ravens’ history suggests caution. Trading premium picks for a 28-year-old star challenges their long-term contention model, especially with young talent like Mike Green still developing. Fans can envision Crosby terrorizing AFC North quarterbacks, but DeCosta’s track record points toward restraint unless the Raiders dramatically lower their asking price. This saga is likely to dominate headlines through draft season. It will test whether Baltimore is willing to bend its principles in pursuit of defensive dominance.
