The winds of change have swept through Baltimore this offseason. After nearly two decades with John Harbaugh guiding the ship, the Ravens are entering a new era.
Following a disappointing 2025 campaign that ended without a playoff berth, the organization made the bold move to part ways with their longtime head coach. In his place, they’ve tapped Jesse Minter - formerly the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers - to take the reins.
Minter wasted no time shaping his staff, bringing in Anthony Weaver, the former Dolphins defensive coordinator, to lead the Ravens' defense. The goal is clear: get this unit back to playing at the elite level Ravens fans have come to expect.
Over the past two seasons, Baltimore’s defense has been a rollercoaster - flashes of brilliance one week, breakdowns the next. That inconsistency has been costly, and it’s something Minter and Weaver will be tasked with correcting from day one.
One way to accelerate that turnaround? Swing big. And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Baltimore could be in the mix for one of the league’s most disruptive defensive forces: Maxx Crosby.
Crosby, the relentless edge rusher from the Las Vegas Raiders, is reportedly drawing heavy interest around the league - and for good reason. He’s a game-wrecker.
A tone-setter. The kind of player who can tilt the field and take over a game.
Fowler reports that Crosby’s desire to be part of a winning culture is becoming a driving force in his future. While he’s remained loyal to the Raiders, that loyalty may be tested as Las Vegas continues to hover in rebuild territory.
And make no mistake, the interest is real. Fowler suggests as many as 20 teams could come calling, with several contenders already identified - including the Bills, Lions, 49ers, Cowboys, and yes, the Ravens.
For Baltimore, adding Crosby would be more than just a statement move - it would be a defensive game-changer. Pairing him with a secondary that already features Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey would give the Ravens a fearsome mix of speed, power, and versatility.
Hamilton’s range and instincts on the back end, Humphrey’s physicality in coverage, and Crosby’s relentless motor off the edge? That’s a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Jesse Minter is known for his aggressive, attacking defensive philosophy - a style that would suit Crosby perfectly. The Ravens have long been a franchise built on defense, and bringing in a player of Crosby’s caliber would signal a return to that identity in a big way.
Of course, a trade of this magnitude doesn’t come easy. The price tag would be steep, and there’s no guarantee the Raiders are ready to move on from their star. But if Baltimore is serious about retooling for a deep playoff run in 2026, this is exactly the kind of move that could push them over the top.
The Ravens have already made their biggest change by turning the page on the Harbaugh era. Now, with a new coaching staff in place and a roster still loaded with talent, the next step might be adding one of the league’s premier pass rushers. If Maxx Crosby ends up in purple and black, Baltimore won’t just be back in the playoff picture - they’ll be right in the thick of the Super Bowl hunt.