Baltimore Ravens sign most in-demand NFL free agent Trey Hendrickson after scrapping Maxx Crosby trade
The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly set to complete a stunning deal for Trey Hendrickson just hours after their move for Maxx Crosby collapsed.
In news that shocked the NFL on Tuesday night, Baltimore backed out of its plan to trade for Raiders superstar Crosby.
Now though, according to reports, the Ravens have beaten the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts in the battle for Hendrickson. The 31-year-old has agreed a four-year, $112m deal with Baltimore.
The defensive end has been with the Cincinnati Bengals since 2021 and was the most coveted free agent still on the market. His deal includes $60m guaranteed and a $20m signing bonus, ESPN reports.
It is said the Eagles, Ravens and Colts all made offers for Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler who began his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints in 2017.
By joining the Ravens, Hendrickson will remain in the AFC North after five seasons with the Bengals.
The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly set to complete a stunning deal for Trey Hendrickson
The news comes just hours after the Ravens' move for Maxx Crosby sensationally collapsed
Las Vegas was due to receive two first-round picks for one of the NFL's best defensive ends
The defensive end had a bitter contract standoff with Cincinnati last summer, putting in a trade demand before eventually signing a one-year, $30million extension.
Hendrickson will now face his former team - and former quarterback Joe Burrow - twice a season with Baltimore.
The Ravens moved quickly after making the stunning decision to back out of the biggest deal of the NFL offseason so far.
Crosby's proposed move from Las Vegas - agreed on Friday - would have seen two first-round picks head to the Raiders.
Remarkably, though, the Raiders posted a statement on Tuesday night which simply read: 'The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby. We will have no further comment at this time.'
Trades between teams can be agreed at any time but do not become official until the league year begins on Wednesday at 4pm ET.
Crosby is one of the NFL's best defensive ends but he is recovering from a significant knee injury. The Athletic revealed that Crosby was at the Ravens facility on Tuesday to undergo medical testing.
It was after those tests that Baltimore is said to have made the decision to renege on the deal, telling the Raiders it 'could not move forward based on the results of the medical.'
It was also reported by NFL Network that Baltimore is 'not ready to assume the risk of Crosby's knee.'
The defensive end underwent surgery in January to repair the meniscus in his left knee but Crosby's agent hit back at concerns over his health and then the player himself posted a cryptic message on social media on Wednesday morning. '3/11/20. 6 Years Sober. God Doesn’t Make Mistakes,' it read.
Eric DeCosta is the Baltimore Ravens general manager who made the big Crosby decision
Crosby posted a cryptic photo on his Instagram account shortly after the news broke
His agent, CJ LaBoy, took to X to push back against the medical narrative surrounding his client
According to ESPN, the Raiders have already received calls from 'several' teams inquiring about his availability following Baltimore's decision.
The Raiders are reportedly 'prepared' to get Crosby healthy and have him play in Las Vegas but they are actively 'listening' to other offers, too.
The Cowboys are said to be no longer interested after finalizing a trade for edge rusher Rashan Gary on Monday. Jerry Jones had offered the No 12 overall pick and a 2027 second-rounder for Crosby.
The Eagles, Bears and Lions have all been linked with a possible move for the defensive end, too.
The Raiders, meanwhile, went on a $281.5m spending spree when free agency opened on Monday, orchestrated in part by minority owner Tom Brady.
The headline arrival was former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, while defensive reinforcements - in anticipation of Crosby's exit - came via the likes of Kwity Paye, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker.
