Recently, Trey Hendrickson joined Jackson, providing a luxury reinforcement at that position on the field. The impact of Clowney’s potential arrival to the Ravens Flock could further boost the roster.

Last seen with the Dallas Cowboys, Jadeveon Clowney is also on the radar of two NFC North contenders: the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Where will he ultimately land for the upcoming NFL season?

Clowney’s 2025 season

During the 2025 NFL season, Jadeveon Clowney proved to be a vital mid-season addition for the Dallas Cowboys after signing with the team in September. Despite appearing in only 13 games, the veteran edge rusher remained highly productive, recording 8.5 sacks, 41 combined tackles (24 solo), and 4 passes defended.

Clowney’s impact was particularly felt in the pass rush, where he generated 40 total pressures and forced one fumble. His season was highlighted by a dominant performance in the final week against the Giants, where he racked up 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble, solidifying his status as a top-tier defender even at 33 years old.

His stint in Baltimore

Appearing in all 17 regular-season games in 2023, Clowney matched his career-high with 9.5 sacks and recorded 43 combined tackles, proving to be one of the most efficient veteran signings in the league. His disruptive presence was further highlighted by 19 quarterback hits, 5 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles, providing the elite edge pressure necessary for Baltimore and Lamar Jackson to secure the AFC’s top seed.

Elite pass rushers for Lamar

Despite missing out on Maxx Crosby, the Baltimore Ravens have solidified their defensive front for the 2026 season. The pass rush is now spearheaded by elite veteran Trey Hendrickson, who serves as the primary edge threat alongside the interior dominance of Nnamdi Madubuike.

This new-look unit will also rely on the continued growth of young talent like Tavius Robinson and Adisa Isaac, ensuring that Lamar Jackson is supported by a relentless and hungry group of rushers as they chase a championship.

“I took a lot of pride in what we did,” he said on Pardon My Take. “I took a lot of pride in this season. I thought, honestly, as a coaching staff, it might have been our best job this year coaching this team. I thought we did a great job. But it wasn’t good enough in terms of getting us where we needed to get for whatever reason.”

Harbaugh’s last campaign with the Ravens ended with a record of 8 wins and 9 losses, far from the initial aspirations. Now, a new challenge awaits him with the Giants, where he will seek to get back to the Super Bowl.

No regrets over the firing

Harbaugh’s tenure with the Baltimore Ravens was highly successful. Despite this, his final season sealed what seemed like an endpoint for the relationship, leading to the head coach’s dismissal at the end of the campaign.

“If the job’s not getting done, it’s not good enough, they’ll make a change,” Harbaugh said. “I really wasn’t worried about it ever, keeping the job. I felt like at some point in time if they felt like I wasn’t the best guy for the job to do the job then they’re going to put me out of a job, and that’s what they should do if they feel that way.”

Harbaugh’s numbers with the Ravens

John Harbaugh led the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons until his departure in early 2026. He compiled a regular-season record of 180 wins, 113 losses, and 0 ties.

His postseason success was equally notable, totaling 13 wins and 11 losses in the playoffs. The pinnacle of his tenure came in 2012, when he guided the franchise to a victory in Super Bowl XLVII, defeating the San Francisco 49ers with a 34–31 score. He also finished his time in Baltimore as the winningest coach in the team’s history.

Can he lead the Giants to the Super Bowl?

The New York Giants are officially entering a new era with John Harbaugh as head coach and Jaxson Dart leading the offense. Harbaugh has taken the reins in East Rutherford with the clear goal of returning the G-Men to the Super Bowl for the first time since February 2012.

Throughout its storied history, the franchise has secured four Super Bowl titles (1986, 1990, 2007, and 2011). Now, the focus is on building around Dart’s dual-threat talent to bring a fifth Lombardi Trophy to New York and end the team’s long championship drought.

Less than 24 hours after the Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade, they announced the signing of Trey Hendrickson. This move shocked many across the league, including Hendrickson himself.

The Ravens signing Hendrickson was a logical pivot after passing on Crosby. However, few believed it would have been financially or logistically possible for Baltimore to land both of them at once.

“I was looking forward to rushing with him,” Trey Hendrickson said on Terron Armstead’s The Set podcast. “Like what an incredible opportunity that would have been to have a bookends like that terrorizing quarterbacks, getting running backs to the ground. That’s what got me excited.”

Hendrickson and Crosby would have been a menace together

The mere idea of pairing Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby is enough to chill any offense. As two elite pass rushers, they would have created a massive threat from both sides of the defensive line.

As of today, it appears Maxx Crosby will remain with the Las Vegas Raiders. He is currently recovering from knee surgery, which was reportedly the reason the Ravens chose not to move forward with the trade.

As for Hendrickson, injuries sidelined him for half of the 2025 season. If he remains healthy, he could significantly bolster the Ravens’ defense and finally provide Lamar Jackson with the elite support needed to contend for a Super Bowl.

Appearing on the Up & Adams show, Styles said, “Kyle Hamilton is one of those guys that can do a lot all over the field. He’s an amazing player. So, I’d love to be in a scheme where I can do multiple roles and help a defense win.“

Styles also added that he thinks “what’s nice is when you have a coordinator who’s able to put you in so many different positions and utilize you in that way.” Hence, Styles thinks he can play at a multitude of positions, just like the Ravens superstar.

There are obvious differences between Styles and Hamilton

Hamilton plays safety, but he can also line up as a slot cornerback, and an inside linebacker, though his main point of impact is at the secondary where can play both free and strong safety.

As for Styles, he transitioned from safety to linebacker, and he is a unit. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 244 lbs, he also possesses crazy speed and ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash. While he is now mainly seen as a linebacker, he can easily drop back to safety too.

Sonny Styles’ draft projection

Styles is almost unanimously scheduled to be taken as a top 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is widely considered the best linebacker in this class. John Harbaugh (who made Kyle Hamilton an All Pro), could actually pull the trigger and draft him at number five for the New York Giants.

Harbaugh has had success with Hamilton. Hence, he could see a chance to replicate that with Styles now that he’s moved to the New York. The Giants could be a perfect landing spot for Styles.

Reports indicate that the Ravens flagged concerns regarding Crosby‘s long-term health during his physical. Unfortunately, the team’s medical staff identified an issue they believe could impact his performance in the coming years.

According to Ryan McFadden of ESPN, the Ravens declined the trade because: “The consensus was that Crosby would be able to play in 2026. The Ravens’ concern centered on the uncertainty of Crosby’s durability after a couple of seasons in Baltimore because of a degenerative issue in his knee, a source told ESPN.”

Maxx Crosby’s camp disputes the report

When the Ravens confirmed that the physical did not meet their expectations, many questioned whether the star defender was healthy enough to compete.

In response, Maxx Crosby’s camp has pushed back against these rumors. He received public support from his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who stated that the player is fully healthy and ahead of schedule in his recovery from January meniscus surgery.

Crosby himself has addressed the failed trade, suggesting that “conspiracy theories” are being created about the situation. However, it appears the Ravens remained firm in their belief that he might not remain healthy beyond the 2026 season.

Is Maxx Crosby staying with the Raiders?

Yes, Maxx Crosby is set to remain with the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2026 season. The club has not reopened trade discussions for the pass rusher, and the front office appears comfortable keeping him on the roster.

If Crosby delivers a dominant performance in the upcoming campaign and remains injury-free, he will prove the Ravens wrong. However, any recurring health issues would validate Baltimore’s decision to walk away from the blockbuster deal.

Many analysts and experts have suggested that the Baltimore Ravens might have reconsidered, fearing regret over giving up two first-round picks for the pass rusher. Despite the media frenzy, Crosby maintained a calm and focused approach, emphasizing his commitment to his recovery and his team.

On his podcast The Rush, Maxx Crosby opened up about his emotions following the failed trade: “I was livid, confused, the whole nine. All in one. This is the thing. Everyone’s got their own theory, conspiracy theory. No one really will ever admit, either side, what the real truth is or whatever. Ultimately, it doesn’t even matter. I am where I’m supposed to be. I know that.”

Why Maxx Crosby stayed with the Raiders?

Maxx Crosby addressed why the trade never materialized: “It all happens for a reason, I know exactly who I am. I’m healthy, I’m crushing my rehab, I’m doing what I’m doing. I wasn’t supposed to be in Baltimore, and that’s it. I’m meant to be a Raider. It’s through my core. And that’s it, you know what I mean? I’ll leave it simple as that.”

Maxx Crosby takes a shot at Ravens GM

The pass rusher also shared his experience with Ravens GM Eric DeCosta: “I thought I was going to see DeCosta when I first got there. I don’t know why. I’m not going to speculate. He just made the trade and I didn’t see him for five hours.”

These comments highlight the distance and confusion surrounding the failed deal, while Crosby continues to maintain his professional focus with the Raiders. If a team’s GM just pulled off one of the most important trades in franchise history, the big question is why he wasn’t even there to welcome the star he acquired.

Appearing on the Speakeasy podcast, Brown explained that he wanted to avoid the “small talk” of free agency. While he seriously considered a move back to the Ravens, he ultimately felt that the Eagles’ pursuit was more decisive.

“I was really considering going back to Baltimore,” Maqruise Brown said. “I got good relationships there. I really let my agent handle it until it got down to what it got down to. This is my second time in free agency, so I kinda don’t want the small talk. I let him deal with it. When it got down to who really wants me, who he thinks is really showing interest, then I want to talk and get involved.”

By signing a one-year, $10 million deal with Philadelphia, Brown joins a star-studded offense featuring Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, rather than returning to his original NFL home alongside Lamar Jackson.

Marquise Brown would have faced immense pressure in Baltimore

Marquise Brown entered the NFL in 2019 as the 25th overall pick for the Ravens. There were high expectations set for him following a stellar tenure at Oklahoma, thinking he would improve a lot more with Lamar Jackson.

Unfortunately for the wide receiver, his time in Baltimore was inconsistent, as he registered only one season with over 1,000 receiving yards. After just three years, the Ravens decided to trade him and a third-round pick to the Cardinals in exchange for a first-round selection.

Even though nostalgia could have played a role in his decision, a return might not have been the best move for him. While playing for the Eagles will certainly bring its own pressure, a second chance in Baltimore would have carried a much heavier burden.

The Eagles need a solid WR2

With the signing of Marquise Brown, it seems like only a matter of time before A.J. Brown is moved out of Philadelphia. If this occurs, DeVonta Smith will likely take over as the WR1, while ‘Hollywood’ is set to become the primary WR2.

In his 2025 season with the Chiefs, Marquise Brown registered 49 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns. These numbers must improve if he hopes to secure a lucrative long-term deal once his one-year contract with Philly concludes.

Minter’s promise to Hendrickson is this, “you want to get to the point where you can create as many one-on-one matchups for people as possible. Being creative in how we operate, how we set our fronts, and we’ll try to do as as many things as possible to create opportunities for Trey to wreck the game.”

Minter said of Hendrickson, “There’s a lot of different things that he can do for the defense. He’s going to draw attention, so sometimes you have guys that draw attention and then other guys have the opportunity to make plays.“

Minter is a defensive genius

The word “genius” is thrown a lot these days in the NFL. However, in the case of Minter, it is a very accurate description of what he is. Minter defines what a defensive mastermind is. He is a student of the game, with a very creative defensive scheme, and he is able to get the best out of his players.

In that regard, he is very similar to Mike Macdonald. Conversely, that’s why he is a massive upgrade on former defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Minter will give this defense a whole new look.

Ravens have high expectations for both Minter and Hendrickson

If Minter fulfills his promise to Hendrickson, this will be an incredibly difficult defense to overcome. Baltimore regretted letting Mike Macdonald go, and now he is a Super Bowl champion head coach. Minter is very close in age, schemes, and mentality to Macdonald. Now, the task is to be as good of a head coach.

On the other side, Hendrickson was the responsible for the Ravens to back out from the Maxx Crosby deal. Hence, he now needs to prove Baltimore made the right decision by trusting him instead of making the Crosby deal. Otherwise, the Ravens will be the laughing stock of the league.

In fact, the message is loud and clear, the reason Hendrickson joined the team is because he wants to win the Super Bowl right now. “The standard is high here and I’m excited for that challenge,” Hendrickson said. “Incredible defense, incredible people, and looking forward to this season.”

Hendrickson has 31 years of age, so he knows it’s not like he has forever to wait for that all-elusive Super Bowl ring to come by. Instead, he is chasing the championship, and that’s his main goal before calling it a career. Hendrickson is still a high-impact player.

Hendrickson is not Crosby for one main reason

As a pass-rusher, Hendrickson has nothing to envy from Crosby. The fact is the main and key difference relies on the rushing defense aspect of the game. Crosby is miles better defending the run. That’s the main difference. Now, when you also have linebacker Roquan Smith on the roster, maybe you just want the pass-rusher side of things.

Hendrickson’s 2025 season got cut short due to injury. However, he is a more prolific pass-rusher. Still, the fact is Crosby is just a much more dangerous presence to deal with. The fact is the Ravens are now getting an elite pass-rush, and the run defense will have to be a problem that someone else solves.

The Ravens are a promising defense

The last two years, the Ravens have been a bipolar defensive unit. They usually stink at first, and then turn elite in the second half. The hope is all that changes now that Jesse Minter is the head coach.

Minter is a defensive-minded coach, and he also comes from the Harbaugh coaching tree. He has all the bases to make this unit one of the best in football. Then, let Lamar Jackson and company take the reins on offense.

Trade rumors intensified earlier in free agency when the Raiders negotiated with the Ravens on a potential deal that would have sent the star pass rusher to Baltimore. However, the agreement collapsed at the last moment, creating widespread debate across the league about what really happened behind the scenes.

Since then, the situation has evolved quickly, with the Raiders now indicating that Crosby may no longer be available on the trade market as both sides try to move forward after the failed negotiations.

Raiders’ final decision on Maxx Crosby trade

According to a report from Mike Florio, the Las Vegas Raiders have now informed other teams that Maxx Crosby is no longer part of trade discussions. “Per a league source, the Raiders are currently telling teams that defensive end Maxx Crosby won’t be traded, in the aftermath of the failed effort to ship him to the Ravens for a pair of first-round picks.”

The controversy surrounding the situation began when Baltimore reportedly agreed to send two first-round picks to Las Vegas in exchange for Crosby. However, the Ravens ultimately backed out of the deal after concerns related to a medical evaluation, and shortly afterward they signed edge rusher Trey Hendrickson instead.

Despite the speculation that followed, Crosby and his representatives have insisted that the recovery from his knee surgery is progressing normally. The defensive star even addressed the situation on social media, suggesting that he now intends to stay with the Raiders as the team prepares for the upcoming season.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the situation publicly, pushing back on speculation that the organization walked away from the deal for strategic or financial reasons. “I understand it. We live in that age of skepticism and people question, especially people that don’t really know me or know the Ravens culture and the Ravens organization.”

The comments came after days of intense debate across the league, particularly because the failed trade happened during the legal tampering period and involved significant draft capital. Many around the NFL had expected the Ravens to land Crosby as the final piece of a defense built to compete for a Super Bowl.

Why Maxx Crosby wasn’t traded to Ravens?

According to the Ravens’ perspective, the trade ultimately fell apart because of a failed medical exam. Crosby underwent knee surgery in January, and based on Baltimore’s evaluation, something in the defensive star’s medical situation, which hasn’t been revealed, raised concerns.

DeCosta acknowledged the frustration surrounding the situation, especially as fans and analysts questioned the team’s motives after Baltimore later signed edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, a move that cost significantly less and did not require giving up two first-round picks.

“I understand how people might maybe from afar would feel that way, but nobody’s more upset about this than me. I’m gutted by it actually. So, it’s a regret, a big regret for me, but we will move on as a football team. There were moments when, honestly, I was probably speechless. I was just sitting in my chair in my office and just thinking about what the next step would be and trying to get as much information as possible.”

Despite the Ravens’ explanation, doubts remain across the NFL. Maxx Crosby and his representatives have insisted that the defensive end was progressing normally in his recovery timeline following surgery, fueling speculation that Baltimore may have simply reconsidered the cost of the deal before ultimately backing away from the blockbuster trade.