Raiders Trade Maxx Crosby to Ravens
Las Vegas Raiders traded All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks in a blockbuster move. The trade shakes up both teams' defensive lineups and signals Baltimore's commitment to a Super Bowl run. Raiders also released QB Geno Smith after just one season.
The blockbuster trade sending Maxx Crosby to Baltimore is a clear "win-now" move for the Ravens, a franchise that has never before traded a first-round pick for a player. This aggressive strategy under new head coach Jesse Minter aims to bolster a defense that surprisingly ranked among the league's worst in sacks last season. Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowler, is expected to be an immediate impact player on a defense that already includes standouts like Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this trade signals the start of a complete franchise rebuild. In exchange for Crosby, they acquire Baltimore's first-round draft picks in both 2026 and 2027, giving them significant assets for their new foundation. The Raiders will absorb just $5.1 million in dead money from Crosby's contract while opening up over $30 million in salary cap space. Crosby is under contract through the 2029 season, and the Ravens will take on his remaining deal, which has a cap hit of over $30 million for the 2026 season. His contract has a four-year average value of just over $29 million for Baltimore. There is speculation that the Ravens may look to restructure his contract to create more immediate salary cap flexibility. The decision to release quarterback Geno Smith is a direct consequence of the Raiders' new direction. The move was widely anticipated as Las Vegas now holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and is expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Releasing Smith saves the Raiders $8 million against the salary cap, though it comes with a significant $18.5 million dead money charge. This leaves Aidan O'Connell as the only quarterback currently on the Raiders' roster, and reports suggest the team will look to sign a veteran free agent to mentor their incoming rookie. Smith's single season in Las Vegas was a disappointment, with the team posting a 3-14 record. He threw a league-leading 17 interceptions in 2025. The 35-year-old quarterback now enters free agency, where he is expected to draw interest from teams in need of a veteran presence.
