DENVER — The AFC West just lost its most terrifying pass rusher, and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is celebrating. The Las Vegas Raiders shipped five-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens late Friday night in exchange for 2026 and 2027 first-round draft picks. The Maxx Crosby trade completely reshapes the AFC power structure.
Payton didn’t hide his relief. FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer revealed that the Broncos coach was practically throwing a parade after hearing the news. Crosby has tormented Denver quarterbacks for years, racking up 16.5 sacks in 14 career games against the Broncos. You could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from the Broncos’ offensive line room. Now, Crosby takes his talents to the AFC North.
Payton Books the Flight
Coaches usually offer polite coach-speak when a division rival leaves town. Payton offered cold, hard cash. He called Glazer immediately after the trade broke, fired up that the Broncos no longer have to scheme against the relentless edge rusher.
Payton actually texted Crosby directly. He joked about paying for a one-way private plane ticket to Baltimore just to make sure the defender left the division quickly. The Broncos coach knows exactly what his offense faced twice a season. Crosby recorded 73 total tackles and 10 sacks over 15 games during a miserable 3-14 campaign for Las Vegas in 2025. He never stops rushing. He never takes a play off.
“Sean Payton called me soooo fired up the Raiders traded Maxx Crosby and even just texted Maxx saying he’s offering to pay a private plane one-way flight to Baltimore, happy to see him out of the division. Funny. But also added, ‘You are an inspiration to watch and compete against.'”
— Jay Glazer, FOX Sports
Playoff Implications and What’s Next
Baltimore just armed a top-tier defense with a nuclear weapon. The Ravens desperately needed edge-rushing help after finishing 2025 near the bottom of the league in total sacks. Crosby instantly transforms them into a terrifying matchup for any AFC contender. Defensive play-caller Jesse Minter now has a premier disruptor to pair with Lamar Jackson’s explosive offense.
Las Vegas enters a massive rebuild. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak and the front office now hold the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, plus another first-rounder in 2027. They dumped Crosby’s massive contract—a three-year, $106.5 million extension signed just last year—but lost the heart and soul of their locker room.
Denver breathes easy. Quarterback Bo Nix no longer has to check his blindside for No. 98 twice a year. The Broncos swept the Raiders last season, and with Crosby out of the picture, Payton’s offense faces a much clearer path to controlling the division.
