There was a stunning development in the National Football League on Tuesday when the trade sending star pass rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens was rescinded due to medical concerns discovered during his physical.

The unexpected decision came shortly after Crosby had posted a video on Instagram while in Baltimore overlooking M&T Bank Stadium, suggesting the deal was nearing completion.

Crosby had previously undergone surgery to repair a meniscus injury that he played through for most of the 2025 NFL season. Despite the injury, the Pro Bowl defensive end continued to suit up before eventually missing the final two games of the season.

Now, a quote Crosby made last year is resurfacing and fueling speculation that he could eventually land with the Detroit Lions—a team that has already seen multiple players depart during the current free-agency period.

Could the Detroit Lions Land Maxx Crosby?

Crosby has long held a strong connection to the Detroit area. The star defender grew up in Lapeer, Michigan, and played college football at Eastern Michigan University, located roughly 35 minutes from downtown Detroit.

Following Detroit’s impressive 15-2 record during the 2024 season, Crosby jokingly admitted he was jealous of the Lions’ sudden rise as a Super Bowl contender.

“It kind of bothers me because I had to wait my whole childhood for them to be good,” Crosby said during an appearance on Good Morning Football.
“And now that I’m in the league, they’re Super Bowl contenders. Selfishly, I’m kind of mad at them.”

Despite the playful comment, Crosby made it clear he deeply admires what head coach Dan Campbell has built in Detroit.

“In all realness, seeing what Dan Campbell has built and hearing what those guys say about him… everybody says the same thing. They’re like, ‘I hope one day you get to be in that locker room with Coach Campbell.’ He’ll literally die for his players.”

Crosby also praised the culture surrounding the Lions organization.

“The things you see in the locker room postgame and in interviews—that’s who he is. It’s incredible to see. For the city of Detroit, it’s been some long years, and the Lions haven’t won for a long time.”

Given Crosby’s Michigan roots and admiration for the Lions’ culture, fans have begun speculating whether Detroit could eventually pursue the elite pass rusher.

Why the Ravens Trade for Maxx Crosby Collapsed

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, the Ravens backed out of the blockbuster trade after concerns surfaced during Crosby’s physical.

Breer reported that Baltimore’s medical staff was not comfortable with the current condition of Crosby’s knee following his meniscus repair surgery.

In the NFL, physical evaluations are not always a simple pass-or-fail situation. Doctors typically assign a medical grade to the player, and that score is weighed against the value a team is giving up in a trade.

Because the Ravens were reportedly prepared to surrender two first-round draft picks for Crosby, the organization took a cautious approach when reviewing the medical results.

Had the compensation been significantly lower, the physical may not have derailed the deal.

Ravens GM Reacts to Failed Trade

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta admitted the outcome was disappointing after the organization had invested time negotiating the trade.

“We thought we were getting some traction,” DeCosta said. “As part of the normal trade process, there are a lot of steps, and one of the key parts is bringing the player in to gather as much information as possible.”

After reviewing Crosby’s medical evaluation, the Ravens ultimately decided they could not move forward with the deal.

“I’ve got a responsibility to the Ravens,” DeCosta added. “Nobody’s more upset about this than me. I’m gutted by it, actually.”

Lions Could Still Be a Potential Landing Spot

With the trade now officially off the table, Crosby remains with the Raiders—for the time being. However, the failed deal has reignited speculation that the Lions could eventually emerge as a potential destination for the Michigan native.

Detroit is looking to maintain its Super Bowl-contending roster, and adding an elite edge rusher like Crosby would instantly strengthen one of the NFL’s most aggressive defensive units.

For now, Crosby’s future remains uncertain—but his past comments about the Lions have fans wondering if a homecoming could still happen.