A new rumor suggests that the Baltimore Ravens' decision to back out of trading for Maxx Crosby has scuppered plans to create the scariest pass rush combo in the NFL.
On Tuesday night, NFL fans were stunned when the Las Vegas Raiders revealed that the Ravens have backed out of a planned trade that would have sent the five-time Pro Bowler to Baltimore. Following the news, reports emerged that the results of Tuesday's physical exam left the medical team uneasy about Crosby's long-term outlook.
Yet, despite adding one of the best pass rushers in the game, the Ravens made a surprising pivot on Wednesday. ESPN's Adam Schefter was first to report that the franchise and top free agent Trey Hendrickson had agreed to a four-year deal worth $112 million.
Ravens plan to pair Crosby and Hendrickson in 2026
Everyone's assumption is that the Ravens moved to sign the Cincinnati Bengals star after they backed out of a deal to acquire Crosby. However, adding Hendrickson was just another part of a grand plan to add a pair of elite pass rushers.
"He actually had a conversation with Trey Hendrickson about teaming up with Max Crosby," Schefter revealed during an appearance Wednesday morning. Rise. "And when the conversation first started, Trey Hendrickson had in mind that he would be in Baltimore with Max Crosby. But alas, that did not happen."
The combination of Crosby and Hendrickson would have immediately put the Ravens at the forefront of the best pass rush in the entire NFL the following season. Division rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns now know that they were very lucky when the Crosby deal fell through. Because their QB was close to being in serious trouble in his two games against Baltimore the following season.
