The Ravens’ failed swing for Maxx Crosby didn’t just leave them empty-handed in the moment. It appears to have changed how they handled their next move.
According to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, Baltimore’s botched attempt to land the Raiders star "helped inform what the Ravens" did this week when they completed a trade for center Cam Jurgens.
That deal sent a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick from Baltimore to Philadelphia, with the Ravens receiving Jurgens and a 2027 seventh-round pick in return. The need was obvious: center had become a problem spot, and the Ravens were looking for a fast answer because of injuries at the position.
This time, they moved differently. Jones reported that the Crosby situation pushed Baltimore to be far more aggressive on the medical side before finalizing another trade.
"I'm told the Ravens were proactive in getting all the medical information they could on Jurgens as quickly as possible," he said. "They sent their medical team up the road to Philadelphia before the trade to perform a physical on Jurgens, who had back surgery in 2025 after he suffered an injury during the Super Bowl run two seasons ago."
Jurgens cleared that hurdle. Jones added, "Jurgens passed the physical, though he won't play Sunday against the Falcons due to a concussion."
So the Crosby failure didn’t just stall one deal. It seems to have forced Baltimore to tighten up its process the next time around, making sure it got the medical answers before pulling the trigger.
In Other News...
Ravens Face A Real Test Of Depth Without Lamar In Atlanta
Tyler Huntley is back in the spotlight as Baltimore prepares for a trip to Atlanta without Lamar Jackson, and the matchup has already turned into a good early measure of how sturdy the offense can be when the Ravens have to adjust on the fly. The conversation around this week has centered on Huntleys comfort in the system, how the run game can help him, and how the coaching staff balances aggression with the need to keep the offense on schedule against a Falcons team that will make Baltimore earn everything.
The other side of the ball brings its own questions, especially with injuries forcing the Ravens to lean deeper into the roster at key spots. Atlantas passing game gives Baltimore a real test of coverage discipline, and the game also asks the Ravens to sort out how they replace a blocking presence that has become part of their identity in short-yardage and protection packages. It sets up the kind of tight, physical game that can reveal how much depth Baltimore really has when the margin for error gets smaller. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Enter Prime-Time Underdogs With Derrick Henry Facing The Pressure
Atlantas fast start to the week of preparation has only sharpened the spotlight on Baltimores side of the matchup. After an 0-2 opening, the Falcons have steadied themselves with consecutive wins over Green Bay and New Orleans, and that surge has made them the favorites heading into prime time against a Ravens team already dealing with key absences.
The attention now shifts to how Baltimore answers without its MVP quarterback, with the offense expected to revolve around Derrick Henry in a role that should draw plenty of scrutiny from the national audience. With most NFL Network and ESPN voices siding with Atlanta, the Ravens are left trying to prove they can turn the game into something more than a straightforward test of depth and patience. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Suddenly Have A Marvin Harrison Jr. Decision Worth Watching
Baltimores search for help at receiver has become a little more interesting, with the Ravens reportedly monitoring the trade market for Marvin Harrison Jr. The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has already become one of the biggest names to watch as teams look for impact talent, and the Ravens are among the clubs keeping close tabs while trying to upgrade a receiving group dealing with injuries and uneven production.
The appeal is obvious, but so are the hurdles. Baltimore has been operating with cap constraints after its recent move for center Cam Jurgens, so any major swing for a receiver would require some financial creativity as well as a real willingness to pay the price in draft capital or players. For now, there is no formal agreement in place, which leaves the Ravens in the kind of waiting game that can either lead to a bold addition or a quick reminder of how quickly a big-name market can move. [Read more 🡒]