The Baltimore Ravens have pulled the plug on a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
The Raiders revealed on Tuesday night that the Ravens had backed out of the trade that was set to send the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end to Baltimore in exchange for two first-round draft picks.
The deal was agreed last Friday but could not be finalised, with the 28-year-old reportedly failing his medical.
Crosby underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and missed the final two games of the season because of the injury.
Crosby’s addition was expected to help lift the Ravens back into contention, while the draft picks were set to support a rebuilding effort for the Raiders.
Crosby recorded 10 sacks and a career-high 28 tackles for loss last season and has reached double-digit sacks in four of his seven seasons.
Trading even one first-round pick for a veteran was out of character for Baltimore, who have taken drastic measures to rebound from last season’s 8-9 finish.
The Ravens fired coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons and were prepared to give up significant assets for Crosby. His expected arrival had softened the blow of Monday’s free-agent departures.
Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore’s Pro Bowl center, agreed to a contract with the Raiders. Tight end Isaiah Likely, punter Jordan Stout and safety Ar’Darius Washington reached deals to follow Harbaugh to the New York Giants.
Other departures included pass rusher Dre’Mont Jones – seemingly expendable with Crosby on the way.
Baltimore now enter the season with first-year coach Jesse Minter and remain in win-now mode with two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Crosby would have been a major boost for a defense that finished tied for 28th in sacks with just 30 last season.
With the deal off, the Ravens will presumably shift course. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson remains available, though he also dealt with injuries that limited him to seven games last season.
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