PHOENIX — Mark Davis never wanted to trade Maxx Crosby. The Raiders owner said Tuesday he was relieved when the Baltimore Ravens backed out of their deal for the star defensive end earlier this month.
“All the way along, I said I didn’t want Maxx to leave,” Davis told the Review-Journal at the NFL Meeting. “I want him to be part of this organization forever.”
The Ravens agreed to acquire Crosby but reversed course after concerns arose during his physical exam. Crosby underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury he played through during the 2025 season.
Davis had previously insisted the team would not trade Crosby, even emailing ESPN in 2024 to declare: “We’re Not Trading Maxx Crosby. Before Or After The Trade Deadline!!!” But after a 3-14 season, Davis visited Crosby at his home and agreed to consider moving on.
“He’s been a great Raider. He’s a great person. Great dad. All of that. Unfortunately, things transpired where he was traded and I wasn’t sad that they sent him back,” Davis said.
New coach Klint Kubiak also expressed excitement about Crosby remaining with the team. “We lost him, we got him back. Our team’s better. Hell yeah,” Kubiak said. “Maxx is the best player on our defense. He’s going to be a leader on our team, and a guy that we’re counting on to go win a lot of games with.”
Kubiak said he texted Crosby after the trade fell through and saw him at the team facility the next day, rehabbing “like nothing ever happened.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said there were no discussions at the league meetings about changing the trade or free agency process in light of the Crosby situation. “No,” Goodell replied when asked.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose team was also involved in trade talks for Crosby, said he didn’t see an issue with how things unfolded. “For me, there’s no hidden item there. You have to pass a physical. … That goes with the territory,” Jones said. He added that he does not anticipate revisiting a trade for Crosby but did not rule it out entirely.
Raiders general manager John Spytek indicated Monday the team views Crosby as a major addition but remains open to calls.
