Bengals Eye Maxx Crosby Trade After Ravens Deal Collapses

The Cincinnati Bengals have re-entered the discussion for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby following the unexpected collapse of a trade agreement between the Ravens and Raiders. Baltimore had initially agreed to acquire the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, but the deal is not official until the new league year begins. This turn of events has placed Crosby back on the trade block.

Cincinnati, which reportedly showed interest last week, can now resume negotiations. Other teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, had also inquired about Crosby, but their focus was on retaining Jalen Phillips. The Raiders' asking price for Crosby is steep, reportedly two first-round selections. However, there is speculation the price could be adjusted to first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, instead of the 10th overall pick in April and next year's selection.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has expressed strong admiration for Crosby, calling him one of the NFL's best and a favorite player for his disruptive ability and leadership. Taylor noted Crosby's impact on the Raiders' playoff positioning in the 2022 season. The Bengals, facing the potential loss of Trey Hendrickson in free agency, see Crosby as a significant upgrade to their defensive line.