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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Maxx Crosby–Baltimore Ravens saga has been one of the most chaotic storylines of the 2026 NFL offseason.
What began as a blockbuster trade agreement between the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens quickly unraveled when Baltimore backed out after medical concerns surfaced during Crosby’s physical. The sudden reversal left the star pass rusher in limbo and sent shockwaves across the league.
Now, a new voice inside the Raiders’ locker room has weighed in, and it carries a unique perspective.
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During the team’s introductory media availability on Thursday, newly signed center Tyler Linderbaum addressed the swirling drama surrounding Crosby. Linderbaum, who previously played for Baltimore, didn’t hide his enthusiasm about potentially sharing a locker room with the Raiders’ defensive cornerstone.
“Obviously, I would love Maxx to be here and to play with him,” Linderbaum told reporters. “I’ve gone against him. He’s not fun to go against. … Excited to be on his team.”
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Linderbaum’s comments come just days after the Raiders landed one of the premier offensive linemen on the market.
The former Ravens center reportedly signed a three-year, $81 million contract that includes $60 million in guaranteed money, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL. The deal caps a remarkable rise for the Iowa product, who entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft (No. 25 overall).
Since arriving in the NFL, Linderbaum has built a reputation as one of the most technically refined centers in football. He has earned three Pro Bowl selections and consistently graded among the league’s best interior linemen. His move to Las Vegas signals a clear organizational priority to strengthen the offensive front and provide stability in the middle of the line.
This is especially important with the Raiders widely expected to target a quarterback of the future, potentially Fernando Mendoza, in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
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While Linderbaum’s arrival represents the Raiders’ future, the biggest question still revolves around Crosby’s.
The Ravens and Raiders had reportedly reached an agreement that would have sent the star defensive end to Baltimore in exchange for multiple first-round picks.
But the deal collapsed when concerns about Crosby’s recovery from knee surgery emerged during his physical. Crosby underwent surgery for a torn meniscus after the 2025 season, an injury that sidelined him late in the year. Despite the setback, he remains one of the NFL’s most productive edge rushers and a perennial Pro Bowl selection.
Baltimore quickly pivoted after the trade fell through, signing veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal worth roughly $112 million.
In the immediate aftermath of the failed trade, speculation intensified about Crosby’s future. However, signs now point toward the star defender remaining with the Raiders, at least for the time being.
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