NEW YORK — The Baltimore Ravens just flipped the AFC on its head. In a stunning power move, Baltimore acquired three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Raiders in exchange for two first-round picks (2026 and 2027). The trade, finalized late last week, signals a massive shift in the championship race as the new league year kicks into high gear.
The Ravens didn’t stop with Crosby. They doubled down on their pass rush by signing Trey Hendrickson to a massive four-year, $112 million contract. Adding Crosby’s 10.0 sacks from last season to a room that now includes Hendrickson gives Baltimore the most feared defensive front in football. The Ravens are clearly “all-in” for 2026, sacrificing future capital to build a wall around their Super Bowl aspirations.
While Baltimore builds, Miami is cleaning house in the most expensive way possible. The Dolphins officially released quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, absorbing a league-record $99 million in dead money. This financial hit is unprecedented. Despite Tua’s 20 touchdowns and 2,660 yards last year, the Dolphins are pivoting, handing the keys to former Titans passer Malik Willis on a three-year, $67 million deal. It’s a high-stakes gamble in South Beach.
The Indianapolis Colts found their bridge to the future—or perhaps their permanent answer. They secured Daniel Jones with a two-year, $88 million contract that could reach $100 million with incentives. Jones is coming off a season where he posted a 100.2 QB rating and threw 19 touchdowns. He joins a Colts roster that also re-signed Alec Pierce to a monstrous four-year, $116 million extension, ensuring the veteran QB has the weapons he needs to compete in the AFC South immediately.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals officially cut ties with Kyler Murray. After a season of limited action where he threw for only 962 yards, the former top pick is now a free agent. The Cardinals moved quickly to fill the backfield void left by the transition, signing Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.25 million deal to stabilize their ground game.
The San Francisco 49ers made the biggest splash at wide receiver, snagging Mike Evans on a three-year, $60.4 million contract. The veteran wideout provides a massive red-zone target for the Niners’ high-octane offense. Not to be outdone, the Kansas City Chiefs added more speed to their backfield, signing Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $45 million contract. Walker’s 1,027 rushing yards last season will fit perfectly alongside Travis Kelce, who returned to the Chiefs on a one-year, $12 million “last dance” style agreement.
“We knew we needed to get more aggressive. Bringing in a guy like Maxx [Crosby] changes the temperature of the building the second he walks in. We aren’t here to just compete; we’re here to dominate.”
— Anonymous Ravens Personnel Executive
With the first wave of signings in the books, the focus shifts to the remaining “Big Two.” Aaron Rodgers and Kyler Murray remain the most prominent names on the market. Rumors are swirling that the Raiders, now flush with draft picks after the Crosby trade, could be a destination for Murray to reset his career. For Rodgers, the talk remains centered on a potential one-year mercenary role for a contender in need of a veteran presence. Expect the phones to keep ringing as teams look to fill their remaining holes before the draft.
