Chaos and more big dollars have entered into NFL free agency, as an abandoned trade and a quick pivot have altered the player market considerably.
The Ravens reached a tentative agreement with edge rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112 million contract early Wednesday morning. The pact with the former Bengals star—including $60 million of fully guaranteed money—comes close to the $120 million deal the Panthers reached earlier this week with Jaelan Phillips at that position.
Baltimore’s move, however, came just hours after backing out of a blockbuster trade with the Raiders for Maxx Crosby. The Ravens were set to give up two first-round draft picks to acquire Crosby, but he failed his physical, and the trade was canceled. Crosby had surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee after missing the final two games of the 2025 season.
On Tuesday night, The Raiders issued a very brief statement that “the Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby. We will have no further comment at this time.” The Ravens, for their part, did not comment at all. CJ LaBoy, one of Crosby’s agents, insisted that the player will quickly return to form as one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive talents.
“Maxx continues to be on track in his recovery, and if anything, is ahead of schedule, according to his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache,” LaBoy said. “Maxx remains on track to return during the offseason program and will undoubtedly return as the dominant game wrecker he has been these past seven seasons.”
Since no trades or player signings will become official and final until the new league year formally begins at 4 p.m. ET, the Ravens were able to back out of the deal with the Raiders.
A New Start for Hendrickson
Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks in 2024 with 17 and a half, but saw his relationship with Cincinnati ownership deteriorate last year in yet another contract dispute, and then he was limited to seven games in 2025 due to injuries.
When healthy, though, the 31-year-old is also a top defensive star. The Ravens will also now keep the picks they were set to ship off in the Crosby trade. Aftermissing the playoffs on the final night of the regular season, that Baltimore selection in April will be at No. 14, meaning another impact player is likely arriving.
Hendrickson’s agreement with the Ravens can be finalized with the start of the new league year.
