Former Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby has apologized for letting down fans of his old team in an emotional first public appearance since his blockbuster trade to the Baltimore Ravens.
Crosby’s trade has blown the NFL wide open and sees the Ravens add one of the league’s best defensive ends to their roster ahead of the 2026 season.
At the end of a trade saga that saw multiple teams linked with the 28-year-old, the Raiders will receive two first-round picks (No 14 in 2026 and an unspecified pick in 2027) to add to the No 1 overall pick they already owned ahead of April’s Draft.
Crosby appeared on his ‘The Rush’ podcast on Saturday to speak out for the first time in an emotional 13-minute address, thanking Raiders fans and apologizing for not bringing success to the franchise.
‘I feel like I left everything I had on the table for this team,’ he said. ‘I’ve given my heart and soul and I feel like I let y’all down, man. Ever since day one, I’ve wanted to create and build a winner with the Raiders.’
He added that Raiders fans have ‘every right to be upset’ with his decision to move on after seven seasons, but admitted that he would like to return and ‘finish in a Raiders jersey’.
Maxx Crosby has spoken out about his trade from the Las Vegas Raiders to Baltimore
Crosby had previously demanded a trade out of Las Vegas, and now he’s gotten his wish
Crosby also admitted that he ‘can’t believe this is a real thing’, and went on to explain what he hopes to achieve in his next chapter in Baltimore.
‘I’m going to give everything in my heart and soul to bring a championship to Baltimore,’ he said. ‘I’m going there with one purpose, and that’s to help this team get to where ultimately it needs to be and where everybody wants to go. And that’s winning a Super Bowl.
‘The whole city of Baltimore, the trust has got to be earned. I’m coming in guns blazing, I’m going to be myself, and I’m going to give everything I have in my heart and soul to be the best player I can possibly be, to help be the best leader, best example, on a daily basis.
‘No words are needed; I’m going to show by action. I cannot wait to do that every single day in that building.’
Baltimore is coming off a disappointing 8-9 season, but still boasts two-time MVP Lamar Jackson at quarterback. And Jackson had sparked excitement around the Ravens fanbase earlier on Friday by tweeting a cryptic GIF of Denzel Washington saying ‘Boom’. It now appears that the Crosby trade was the reason why.
The Raiders are getting two first-round picks for Crosby, 28, from the Baltimore Ravens
Crosby certainly fills a need in Baltimore. The Ravens had just 30 sacks last season, which was fewer than all but three NFL teams. Crosby had 10 sacks alone in 2025.
The 28-year-old defensive end is coming off a turbulent season in Las Vegas. A year ago, he signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension to stay with the Raiders, making him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback at the time.
As well as his 10 sacks, he made 73 tackles and two forced fumbles despite being placed on injured reserve in December.
Then-Raiders coach Pete Carroll claimed at the time that Crosby had a knee injury, which might require surgery. But reports contradicted Carroll’s claim, and Crosby added fuel to the fire by posting footage of himself playing basketball on his home court when he was supposedly injured.
It is not entirely clear when the footage and photographs were taken but they were uploaded to Instagram a few hours after the Raiders confirmed he would miss the rest of the 2025 season.
Many concluded from the footage Crosby felt he was healthy enough to continue playing, while the Raiders were more concerned with protecting their star defensive end while preserving their place atop the NFL Draft.
Later it was confirmed that Crosby, angered by the team’s decision to place him on IR, had left the team facility.
The Raiders would win their season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, but came away with the league’s worst record and the top pick in next month’s draft anyway.
In February, Crosby admitted his impatience at another losing season in Vegas and didn’t deny reports he had told minority owner Tom Brady he was ‘done’ with the team.
But now, he joins a team with genuine Super Bowl aspirations. Entering 2026, the Ravens face questions about star running back Derrick Henry’s ability to contribute at 32, as well as how the team will respond to newly hired head coach Jesse Minter.
Crosby reportedly told Raiders minority owner Tom Brady he was ‘done’ after the 2025 season
But with Crosby joining, it is a huge cause for optimism as the team enters a new era following the departure of Minter’s predecessor, John Harbaugh, after 18 seasons.
As for the Raiders, the rebuild job for new head coach Klink Kubiak is clear.
Many expect them to choose Fernando Mendoza as their first pick, although there is a growing expectation that if they do, they will still sign a veteran quarterback to start the season with.
Last year’s starter, Geno Smith, was released Friday.
