There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the Baltimore Ravens pulling out of a trade that would’ve sent two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for one of the best pass rushers in the league, Maxx Crosby. However, there’s some new information that may further shed light on why that decision was made.
How Past Medical Issues With Maxx Crosby’s Knee Resurfaced
In the aftermath of the Ravens nixing the Crosby deal, we haven’t heard much from them other than what general manager Eric DeCosta said: that he was regretful the trade didn’t work out.
Then, on his podcast, Crosby went through his day at the Ravens facility and how that whole process unfolded.
We know he’s back with the Raiders, and a trade almost certainly isn’t going to happen. In returning to the Raiders, he’ll aim to help improve a defense that ranked 21st in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric with a 70.9 grade.
One of the points of contention among fans and pundits about the Ravens’ decision was that Crosby was hurt at the end of the season and had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Therefore, not passing a physical seems par for the course.
However, a 2023 post has resurfaced that discusses something quite gruesome regarding Crosby’s knee.
According to the X account MEDspiration, on Nov. 29, 2023, the user discussed that Crosby revealed he played through a septic knee joint.
Maxx Crosby dealt with a septic left knee in 2023. Problems in future could be cartilage degradation.
Crosby’s meniscus repair was to his left knee, with reports that the cartilage needed to be addressed too.
Could be what caused the concern for BAL & DAL. https://t.co/ThMF5reBIc
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) March 19, 2026
“This condition can be limb threatening & life threatening!! No joke. Breaking this down so #raidernation & #NFL fans can truly appreciate the type of DOG that resides within MAD MAXX,” the account wrote.
In response to that video, Jeff Mueller, a doctor of physical therapy and fantasy football injury analyst for Destination Devy Fantasy Football, discussed the injury further.
“Maxx Crosby dealt with a septic left knee in 2023. Problems in future could be cartilage degradation.
“Crosby’s meniscus repair was to his left knee, with reports that the cartilage needed to be addressed too.
“Could be what caused the concern for BAL & DAL,” Mueller wrote.
While Crosby did need surgery on his meniscus and wouldn’t exactly pass a physical, it appears that, per Mueller’s opinion, the past issues with a septic knee, coupled with the recent meniscus injury, could’ve been too much for the Ravens’ doctors to sign off on him. As Mueller notes, this could result in “cartilage degradation,” so two first-round picks may have been too much to surrender in a deal.
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With the trade not happening, the Ravens retain the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. PFSN’s Ellis Williams thinks Miami Hurricanes pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. would be a possible pick for the team should the edge rusher make it to that point.
We’ll never truly know the entire story of what happened with the Ravens, Crosby, and the Raiders, but this new information and insight are worth noting.
