Rams pursued Crosby before Garrett blockbuster
Months before the Los Angeles Rams completed their headline-grabbing trade for Myles Garrett, the organization reportedly explored another blockbuster move involving Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby. According to a report from ESPN and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Rams emerged as one of the most aggressive teams pursuing Crosby after a previously agreed-upon trade sending him to the Baltimore Ravens fell apart.
The Ravens and Raiders had reportedly agreed to a deal earlier this offseason that would have sent Crosby to Baltimore for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. However, the trade was never finalized after concerns surfaced during the medical evaluation process, causing Baltimore to back away from the agreement. Sources told ESPN and NFL Network that the Ravens were not comfortable with Crosby's surgically repaired knee, which had required surgery in January after he missed the end of the 2025 season with a torn meniscus.
The collapse of that deal reopened questions about Crosby's future and sparked interest from several teams around the league. Among those teams, the Rams reportedly made one of the strongest pushes. Los Angeles was searching for an elite edge rusher and viewed Crosby as a player who could transform its defense.
Crosby's stance closed the door
But before discussions could gain serious momentum, Crosby reportedly informed interested teams that he preferred to remain with the Raiders. That stance effectively ended any realistic chance of another trade. Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the NFL's most productive defensive players, reportedly made it clear he wanted to continue his career in Las Vegas despite the uncertainty surrounding the failed Baltimore deal.
Shortly after the Ravens trade fell through, Crosby posted on social media: "I'm a Raider. I'm back. Run that s---." He later echoed a similar message to interested teams, sources told ESPN's Ian Rapoport.
League interest remained significant. Reports indicate that multiple teams contacted the Raiders after the Ravens trade collapsed. The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers were among clubs reported to have monitored the situation. However, sources told Rapoport that teams tried to acquire Crosby at a discount—"pennies on the dollar," according to one source—and no offer matched what Las Vegas believed Crosby was worth, making a second trade unlikely.
Rams pivot to Garrett
With Crosby remaining off the market, the Rams eventually shifted their attention elsewhere and later completed their blockbuster acquisition of Garrett. The Rams sent multiple draft picks and Jared Verse to the Cleveland Browns to land Garrett, who had just set the league's single-season sack record with 23 in 2025 and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett had an inauspicious debut for the Rams in their 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, failing to record a quarterback hit or sack.
Crosby, 29, is reportedly fully healthy heading into the Raiders' season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Sources told ESPN and NFL Network that he has experienced no setbacks related to the knee concerns that contributed to Baltimore's decision, and he is expected to continue playing a major role for the Raiders.