Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby has described the collapse of his proposed move to the Baltimore Ravens as ‘emotionally draining’ after the blockbuster deal fell apart at the final hurdle.

A trade that would have sent the All-Pro pass rusher to the AFC North in exchange for two first-round picks had effectively been agreed, only to be voided when the Ravens cited concerns over Crosby’s mandatory physical.

Crosby, who underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus, travelled to Baltimore expecting the move to be completed, only for the situation to unravel rapidly. The Ravens’ decision ultimately centred on medical evaluations of Crosby’s knee, despite prior awareness of his injury during negotiations, and has since raised question marks about how a deal of this magnitude could have progressed so far before breaking down.

Speaking on his podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby, the veteran DE admitted that the experience had been emotionally draining, calling it ‘one of the most up-and-down roller coasters of my life’, and suggesting that not everything had been clearly communicated during the sequence of events that followed his arrival in Baltimore.

“Everyone’s got their own theory, conspiracy theory, and no-one will really ever admit — on either side — what the real truth is or whatever, but I was terrified,” Crosby said. “It just kind of hit me, like, what the f*ck? Is there something wrong? I’m freaking out. Lowkey and deep down, I’m like, ‘I can’t get another surgery’.”

Crosby has insisted that he has full confidence in his recovery timeline following the surgery that shut down his 2025 campaign, and independent medical opinions — including from his own surgeon — reportedly indicated that his rehab was progressing as expected, further adding to the confusion surrounding Baltimore’s late withdrawal.

While the Ravens maintain that the failed deal forced an immediate change of course, with the franchise pivoting swiftly to snap up free agent Trey Hendrickson, the timing of events suggests that there may have been buyer’s remorse before Crosby even touched down in Baltimore. While Ravens GM Eric DeCosta later claimed that his organisation was ‘gutted’ by the outcome, having envisioned pairing Crosby with another elite edge rusher to transform the defense, Hendrickson arrives from division rival Cincinnati without the hefty price tag Baltimore would have had to shell out on Crosby. With an All-Pro pass rusher now safely on the roster and two first round draft picks still in the bank, the Ravens are better placed to continue their pursuit of another Super Bowl.

“I was so excited, but you could just tell the energy was off,” Crosby said. “And I didn’t get to see the GM at all. I don’t know why, and I am not gonna speculate, but he just made the trade and I didn’t see him for five hours.”

For Crosby, the abrupt reversal has ultimately reinforced his connection to Las Vegas. After briefly preparing for life elsewhere — even saying his goodbyes to fans and team-mates alike as the deal neared completion — he has since recommitted to the Raiders, insisting the episode clarified where he belongs long term. With his recovery ongoing, Crosby is now expected to return to full fitness ahead of the 2026 season — fired up more than ever before to tackle unfinished business in silver and black rather than starting a new chapter in Baltimore.

“I wasn’t supposed to be in Baltimore, and that’s it,” he concluded. “I’m meant to be a Raider. It’s through my damn core.”