Giants To Re-Sign OL Joshua Ezeudu
Evan Neal did not impress on his rookie contract, but the Giants are giving the former first-round offensive lineman another chance. New York’s new coaching staff is also circling back to another blocker from Joe Schoen‘s first draft class.
Joshua Ezeudu, despite missing the 2025 season, is following Neal in re-signing with the Giants, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan tweets. Big Blue drafted Ezeudu in the 2022 third round, and the John Harbaugh-led staff will give him another shot.
Injuries have been a problem for Ezeudu, whom the Giants placed on IR after setting their roster last August. New York gave the North Carolina alum a return designation but did not activate him before season’s end. Toe trouble has plagued Ezeudu, who missed all of the 2025 slate because of toe surgery. He went down with a season-ending toe injury in 2023 and suffered a neck injury to wrap his 2022 rookie season.
Starting 10 career games, Ezeudu has seen time at guard and tackle. The Giants used him as an Andrew Thomas left tackle fill-in during the 2023 season, though he struggled in the role and soon saw the first toe matter remove him from the equation. The Giants had expected Ezeudu to beat out Ben Bredeson for a starting guard job in 2023, but that proved to underestimate Bredeson — who later scored a nice Buccaneers payday. Ezeudu was working as the Giants’ swing tackle during the 2024 offseason.
After logging 289 rookie-year snaps at left guard, Ezeudu has primarily lined up at LT since. He has made 10 career starts. Given the fifth-year veteran’s issues staying healthy, it would surprise if this deal surpassed the vet minimum by much (Neal did not receive any guaranteed money on a one-year, $1.2MM deal, according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan). The Giants, however, have not beefed up their O-line in free agency.
LG Jon Runyan Jr., a rumored cut candidate, remains on the roster. The team dropped out of the bidding for Alijah Vera-Tucker and also stood down on rumored target Wyatt Teller, who joined the Texans today. Although the team re-signed RT Jermaine Eluemunor, two-year RG Greg Van Roten‘s free agency points to a starter-level guard investment at some point. But Neal and Ezeudu should be in the mix for swing roles, carrying potential upside for more, as the offseason program nears.
In other Giants contract news, fullback Patrick Ricard‘s two-year, $7.64MM deal includes $3.54MM guaranteed at signing (per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson). Two other ex-Ravens following Harbaugh to the Big Apple — safety Ar’Darius Washington and punter Jordan Stout — joined the team on three- and one-year deals, respectively. Washington’s one-year, $3MM pact includes $1.5MM guaranteed at signing, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan tweets. Stout’s $12.3MM accord makes him the NFL’s highest-paid punter (at $4.1MM AAV). The 2025 All-Pro will receive $6.32MM fully guaranteed, per Wilson.
Micah McFadden secured $2.9MM fully guaranteed, per Wilson, on his second Giants contract (one year, $3.75MM), while Duggan adds Jason Sanders joined the Giants on a one-year, $1.43MM deal with a $300K guarantee. That is considerably less than the team gave injury-prone kicker Graham Gano in 2023.
Colts Sign DT Jerry Tillery, Add Ex-Notre Dame Hoops Starter Carson Towt
Already bringing in veteran defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, the Colts are importing another former Chiefs interior D-lineman. Jerry Tillery signed with the team today.
Indianapolis returns starters DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, but Nnadi and Tillery — the latter a 53-game starter and a former first-round pick — will be in place to supply depth.
The Colts are Tillery’s fifth NFL team. The former Chargers first-rounder — the No. 28 overall pick in 2019 — has also played for the Raiders and Vikings before a 2025 Chiefs commitment. Kansas City used Tillery mostly as a backup in its Chris Jones-fronted D-tackle corps, giving the 29-year-old defender three starts in 17 appearances. Tillery, though, started 11 games with the Vikings in 2024.
This marks a return to Indiana for Tillery, whose Notre Dame career booked him that first-round draft slot. A Louisiana native, Tillery played for the Fighting Irish from 2015-18 and closed his career with a second-team All-American nod. While Tillery racked up eight sacks during his final season in South Bend, he has not justified a first-round investment. The Colts have given chances to this type of player at this position recently, however, having employed Taven Bryan during the Chris Ballard regime.
Tillery has 14.5 career sacks in seven seasons, topping out at 4.5 with the 2021 Chargers. Pro Football Focus graded the veteran D-tackle outside the top 100 among qualified options during his season in Kansas City and 89th overall during his Minnesota season. Given a longer runway as a starter in Los Angeles (29 starts), the 295-pound defender logged 10 in Las Vegas from 2022-23.
Beyond the first-round investment, Tillery’s most notable NFL transaction came when the Raiders claimed him off waivers in November 2022. When the Bolts cut him, eight teams submitted claims. Then employing former Chargers DC Gus Bradley, the Colts were one of them. Now with Lou Anarumo running the defense, Ballard’s team will circle back. Indy has now added Nnadi, Tillery and Colby Wooden (from the Packers in a trade that sent Zaire Franklin to Green Bay) at DT this month.
On the subject of Notre Dame alums, former Fighting Irish basketball player Carson Towt also joined the team as a UDFA. The Colts announced that signing Tuesday as well. A seven-year college hoops career wrapped for Towt this month, as he closed out a 31-game season with the Fighting Irish. The Colts plan to try Towt at tight end.
Because Towt’s football eligibility expired before last year, per the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson, he can sign with a team before the draft. The 6-foot-7 forward started 31 games for the ACC team, averaging 5.9 points and nine rebounds per game.
The season prior with Northern Arizona, Towt pulled down a Big Sky-leading 12.4 boards per game to go with 13.3 points per contest. Granted, the Lumberjacks play in a lower-level conference, but the Colts have certainly experienced success with this type of investment before. Mo Alie-Cox, who played collegiately at VCU, is going into his 10th Indianapolis season. The veteran tight end re-signed with the team last week.
In other Colts contract news on the defensive line, Arden Key‘s recent agreement — reported as a $20MM max-value pact — is worth $16MM over two years. Fellow edge rusher Micheal Clemons is joining the team on a three-year, $17MM deal; the ex-Jet’s contract carries $5.99MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. $1MM of Clemons’ $3.87MM 2027 base salary becomes fully guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2027 league year, with Erickson adding the fifth-year D-end is also due $1MM roster bonuses on Day 5 of the 2027 and ’28 league years.
Texans To Sign G Wyatt Teller
One of the top remaining free agents on the market has lined up a new deal. Guard Wyatt Teller is set to join the Texans. 
A two-year Houston deal was agreed to on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. Teller’s arrival will mark the latest change to the Texans’ offensive line, a unit which has been in flux for multiple offseasons. Teller will be counted on to serve as a starting presence along the interior.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, this deal has a base value of $16MM. Teller can earn up to $23MM from his latest team. That represents a step back in terms of AAV from his most recent contract, but it is nevertheless an indication he will be seen as a key figure up front for the short term.
The 31-year-old only spent one season with the Bills, but he thrived upon arrival in Cleveland. Teller made 94 starts as a Brown, receiving a Pro Bowl invitation every season from 2021-23. He also earned second-team All-Pro acclaim in 2020 and ’21. A return to that level of play will not be expected by Houston, but this addition should help improve the team’s O-line in general.
The Texans have been busy up front this spring. Each of tackle Trent Brown, guard Ed Ingram and depth option Jarrett Kingston have been re-signed. Meanwhile, Houston traded away longtime starter Tytus Howard as well as former second-rounder Juice Scruggs in separate trades leading up to free agency. On the open market, tackle Braden Smith and guard Evan Brown have been signed.
Teller enjoyed a strong run with Joel Bitonio during their time together with the Browns. He made it clear, however, that a departure would be taking place in March with a new coaching staff in the fold for Cleveland. The Browns’ main offseason priority was a full-scale rebuild up front; that included acquiring Howard from Houston. Bitonio is in danger of retiring, something which would add further to the need for additions at guard in Cleveland’s case.
In any event, Teller will look to provide stability once the Texans’ 2026 lineup is sorted out. Improved play along the O-line will be critical if the team is to progress beyond the divisional round after three straight eliminations at that stage of the playoffs. If all goes well, this addition could go a long way in achieving that goal.
J.C. Tretter, David White Seen As Favorites For NFLPA Executive Director Position?
NFLPA representatives have assembled in San Diego. A vote on the union’s new executive director is set to take place today, something which should be a notable development on a number of fronts. 
[RELATED: Jalen Reeves-Maybin Re-Elected As NFLPA President]
Since last month, the trio of finalists for the position have been known. Interim leader David White has been in place since Lloyd Howell‘s controversy-filled tenure ended with his resignation. Former president and chief strategy officer J.C. Tretter also left the NFLPA last summer, but he is back in contention to lead the union. American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti is the other finalist.
With the vote pending, however, it appears as though this is a two-man race. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports Tretter and White are considered the favorites. Tretter oversaw the NFLPA’s last executive director search, one which saw Howell elected over White. That decision ran against the preference of the union’s executive committee, a group which will have several new faces in place for today’s vote. A veteran of eight NFL seasons, Tretter clashed with many in the NFLPA before following Howell’s resignation with one of his own. Nevertheless, Kayln Kahler and Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN confirm Tretter is a strong candidate.
White had lengthy labor experience prior to his NFLPA arrival, including a stint as the leader of the SAG-AFTRA union from 2009-21. His background is not in football, however, making him a much different candidate than Tretter. White has publicly spoken out about issues related to schedule expansion, international games and playing surfaces during his interim gig.
The NFLPA constitution requires its executive committee to select between two and four finalists during an executive director search. That has taken place in this case, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports some of the player reps would prefer an “expanded pool” of candidates to choose from. Both Tretter and White’s respective tenures have been the subject of criticism on various fronts, and the NFLPA in general has been weighed down by a lack of transparency regarding many of its recent actions. As Florio notes, one outcome of the vote could be White’s interim stint simply being extended to allow for more candidates to be identified and vetted.
Needless to say, the immediate future will be worth watching on this front. Negotiations on a new CBA have essentially been on hold sine Howell’s resignation, but they will no doubt pick up once his full-time replacement is elected. The stance taken by the union’s next executive director will be a key factor in talks on several issues.
In other NFLPA news, Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal reports longtime chief player officer Don Davis has stepped down. White confirmed the news but did cite a reason for Davis’ tenure – which began in 2010 – coming to an end at this time. Davis will be “exploring new opportunities” moving forward.
Eagles, WR Marquise Brown Agree To Deal
Marquise Brown‘s free agent spell is set to come to an end. The veteran wideout has agreed to terms with the Eagles, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. 
This will be a one-year pact, per Schultz. He adds the deal’s maximum value is $6.5MM. Brown is in position to join his fourth career NFL team. The Eagles entered Tuesday with over $40MM in cap space, making this contract easy to absorb.
A first-round pick of the Ravens in 2019, Brown spent his first three seasons with Baltimore. He requested and was granted a trade, setting up a two-year run with Arizona. During his first trip to free agency, Brown took a one-year deal with the Chiefs. He did the same last offseason.
The Oklahoma product was limited to only two games in 2024, but he made 16 appearances this past campaign. Brown totaled 587 yards and five touchdowns on 49 catches while the Chiefs struggled to find consistency in the passing game. His 12.0 yards per reception average fell in line with his career average, though. Brown, 29 in June, will be expected to remain a vertical threat upon arrival in Philadelphia.
The Eagles lost Jahan Dotson in free agency, creating the need for a new No. 3 receiver in their case. If Brown is counted on as a replacement in that capacity, he could prove to be an effective addition. The speedster has topped 1,000 yards once in his career while also managing strong complementary numbers at other points. Dotson logged 10 starts in 2025 but he produced only 18 receptions and one score in that time.
Of course, today’s move comes against the backdrop of uncertainty regarding A.J. Brown‘s future. The All-Pro has long been the subject of trade speculation, with the Eagles exploring their options on that front. At this point, the Patriots remain the top potential landing spot, though a deal may not take place until after June 1 based on the cap implications of waiting beyond that date. An expectation persists that Brown will be playing elsewhere in 2026.
If that were to be the case, the addition of Marquise Brown could be particularly impactful. DeVonta Smith remains in the fold, but pairing him with another undersized wideout would greatly alter the Eagles’ offense. On the other hand, retaining A.J. Brown would give Philadelphia a strong top three at the WR spot with the team aiming for improvement under new offensive coordinator Kellen Mond.
Broncos To Acquire WR Jaylen Waddle From Dolphins
The Broncos’ first outside addition of the new league year is certainly a notable one. Jaylen Waddle is heading to Denver. 
The Dolphins have worked out a trade to send Waddle to the Broncos, as first reported by Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Multiple picks in the 2026 draft will be exchanged as part of the deal, as detailed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Meanwhile, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes Denver will take on the remainder of Waddle’s contract in full, including his 2026 base salary ($1.22MM).
Here is the full breakdown of the trade terms:
Broncos acquire
- Waddle
- Miami’s fourth-round pick (No. 111)
Dolphins acquire
- Denver’s first-round pick (No. 30)
- Broncos’ own third- and fourth-rounders (Nos. 94 and 130)
Until today, the Broncos had focused on retaining as many of their own players as possible. The AFC’s top seed in 2025 still had a vacancy with respect to pass-catching options, however. Denver was linked yesterday to interest in the tight end market, with Evan Engram disappointing during his debut Broncos campaign. Regardless of what happens on that front, a high-profile receiving option is set to be in place for next season with GM George Paton taking a major swing early in the new league year. A physical is scheduled for tomorrow, per Schefter’s colleague Jeff Darlington.
The Dolphins dismissed general manager Chris Grier shortly before the 2025 trade deadline. That led to an increased expectation with respect to the team’s willingness to move on from players. Waddle, 27, generated considerable interest, and the Broncos were one of many teams which made calls. In the end, no suitors were willing to meet the Dolphins’ asking price of a first-rounder and more.
With new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley arriving, the Dolphins have begun a full-blown rebuild. Several veterans have been released recently in cost-shedding moves and to clear roster spots for younger replacements. That includes not only quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and edge rusher Bradley Chubb – both of whom quickly found new homes in free agency – but also receiver Tyreek Hill. It came as no surprise when Hill was cut, a move which seemed to put Waddle in position to operate as the Dolphins’ top wideout in 2026 and beyond.
Indeed, a report from last month named the former first-rounder along with lead running back De’Von Achane as core pieces the new regime was not looking to part with. Things have certainly changed in short order with a suitor willing to pay a premium for Waddle. Three years remain on his contract, a lucrative extension signed in 2024. Given the guarantees present in the pact, this swap will carry even more unwanted financial implications for Miami during an offseason full of major cap-related moves.
Waddle is owed an option bonus worth $6.06MM on Friday as part of his $17.24MM in overall compensation. That helps explain the timing of this trade, one which will see the Alabama product paired with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin. Sutton’s pact runs through 2029, while Mims and Franklin – just like quarterback Bo Nix – are attached to their rookie contracts. Coming off the back of a second straight playoff appearance, Denver is aggressively pursuing an upgrade in the passing game.
Miami, meanwhile, will add yet another premium pick for 2026. Once the Waddle move is official, the Dolphins will own a pair of Day 1 selections and a total of seven picks across the first three rounds. Several roster holes will need to be filled next month, and receiver will no doubt be high on the priority list. With Hill and now Waddle out of the picture, Miami’s WR depth chart is currently topped by the likes of Malik Washington and recent additions Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert.
Putting together a cost-effective supporting cast around new quarterback Malik Willis will increasingly be the goal for Miami this offseason. This trade highlights to an even larger extent the long-term nature of the team’s rebuild. As the Broncos look to maximize their window with Nix on an affordable contract, bringing in a three-time 1,000-yard producer will generate increased expectations on offense.
AFC Contract Details: Mafe, Titans, Raiders, Dean, Bills, Texans, Jets, Pats, Steelers, Jags, Ravens
With the first wave of free agency in the rearview mirror, it is time to take stock of the full numbers given to some of this year’s top targets. Here are the details on some of the top contracts awarded by AFC teams:
- Boye Mafe, DE (Bengals). Three years, $60MM. The Bengals gave Mafe $19MM guaranteed at signing, according to OverTheCap. The ex-Seahawk is projected to land $43.3MM over the deal’s first two seasons, ESPN.com’s Ben Baby tweets. A $2MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2027 league year.
- Alontae Taylor, CB (Titans). Three years, $58MM. Taylor received $42MM guaranteed at signing, according to OverTheCap. The ex-Saints CB will receive $22MM in 2026, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets.
- Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (Titans). Four years, $70MM. Robinson secured $36.98MM guaranteed at signing, Breer tweets. Neither of Robinson’s 2028 or ’29 base salaries contain guarantees or guarantee mechanisms. Each year carries $2MM in incentives, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.
- Kwity Paye, OLB (Raiders). Three years, $48MM. Paye secured $31.28MM guaranteed, per Wilson; of that total, $25.34MM is locked in at signing (according to OverTheCap). Paye landed $10MM of his $15.5MM 2027 salary guaranteed at signing; the remainder of his ’27 salary vests on Day 4 of 2027 league year.
- Bradley Chubb, OLB (Bills). Three years, $43.5MM. Of Chubb’s previously reported $29MM guarantee, Wilson notes $21.74MM is guaranteed at signing. Chubb will see a $4MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2028 league year, per OverTheCap.
- Alijah Vera-Tucker, G (Patriots). Three years, $42MM. Vera-Tucker’s $21MM signing bonus represents his guarantees at signing, Wilson tweets, though the team has included a notable wrinkle. Vera-Tucker will earn $250K for each game he is active, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero noting this is among the highest per-game roster bonus figures in NFL history.
- Ed Ingram, G (Texans). Three years, $37.5MM. Receiving $20MM guaranteed at signing, the former second-round pick secured $5MM of his $8.5MM 2027 salary guaranteed at signing. The rest shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the ’27 league year, per Spotrac.
- Jamel Dean, CB (Steelers). Three years, $36.75MM. Keeping with Steelers non-QB/T.J. Watt norms, Dean’s guarantee is his signing bonus ($12MM). Dean would receive a $4MM roster bonus on Day 3 of the 2027 league year, Wilson notes.
- Nakobe Dean, LB (Raiders). Three years, $36MM. Nakobe Dean scored $20MM guaranteed at signing, according to Wilson. The former Eagles linebacker, who missed 12 games due to injury in 2023 and six in ’25, will see $8.5MM of his $11.5MM 2027 salary guaranteed. The remainder becomes guarantee on Day 3 of the ’27 league year (via Spotrac).
- Joseph Ossai, OLB (Jets). Three years, $34.5MM. Ossai will receive $22.49MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets. Ossai’s 2026 and ’27 base salaries are fully guaranteed.
- Montaric Brown, CB (Jaguars). Three years, $31.8MM. Brown landed $20.65MM fully guaranteed, Wilson tweets. The former seventh-round pick secured $8.15MM of his $9.5MM 2027 salary guaranteed at signing.
- John Simpson, G (Ravens). Three years, $30MM. Simpson secured $17.5MM fully guaranteed, Wilson notes. This includes $5.5MM of an $8MM 2027 salary.
Saints Return Among Options Cameron Jordan Is Considering
Cameron Jordan remains unsigned with free agency well underway. The Saints icon could continue his career in New Orleans, but it is still unclear if that will prove to be the case. 
During an appearance on former teammate Terron Armstead’s The Set with T.Stead podcast, Jordan indicated he is currently weighing three options. It does not appear as though retirement is one of them, with the 15-year veteran coming off a season highlighted by 10.5 sacks. Jordan did add, though, that he cleaned out his locker last week in the event he does not re-sign with the Saints.
“As much as I love the city of New Orleans, as much as I want to be in the city of New Orleans… If things don’t add up to what I consider as value happen, I understand the business nature of it all,” the 36-year-old said. “Of course, I’d love to be in New Orleans, but at the same time, if the cents doesn’t make sense, then we have to find our own path.
“Just because I love the city and the organization doesn’t mean the city and the organization has to love me back. The city definitely has and always will. I’m just saying, my love doesn’t mean it’s unrequited.”
Jordan’s entire career has taken place as a member of the Saints. The 2010s All-Decade Team member inked a two-year deal in 2023 and a one-year pact last offseason to continue his tenure in New Orleans. Jordan’s most recent contract was worth $6.05MM, but his production and remarks point to a higher asking price this time around. The eight-time Pro Bowler is not seeking a deal at the top of the pass rush market, but it has been clear since before the new league year began that he would be open to playing elsewhere next season.
With his 2026 void date having recently passed, Jordan will account for a dead money charge of $18.76MM next year. That figure is separate from the cost of any new pact worked out between the parties. The Saints entered Tuesday with over $13MM in space with the Jordan situation and others still in need of being sorted out. New Orleans has made a few notable moves on the open market so far, including the arrivals of running back Travis Etienne and guard David Edwards.
No additions in the pass rush department have been made so far, however. As such, the Saints’ depth chart is currently topped by Chase Young and Carl Granderson. Both of them are attached to lucrative deals, and it remains to be seen if they will be joined once more by the franchise’s leader in several categories on another new contract of his own.
Jets To Trade QB Justin Fields To Chiefs
As expected, Justin Fields‘ time in New York is coming to an end. A trade has been worked out which will send him from the Jets to the Chiefs, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
This trade will include a late-round pick swap. The Jets are dealing Fields and a seventh-round pick to the Chiefs in exchange for a sixth-round pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes. The sixth-rounder is in the 2027 draft, per colleague Tom Pelissero.
New York is retaining salary to facilitate this deal, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports. Per Pelissero, the Jets are taking on $7MM of the $10MM Fields was already guaranteed for the 2026 season. That will make him a cost-effective backup for the Chiefs, a team in need of insurance under center. Patrick Mahomes continues to recover from an ACL tear, leaving his Week 1 availability in question.
Gardner Minshew was in place as Kansas City’s backup, but he departed last week by agreeing to a free agent deal with the Cardinals. Fields will now be able to handle first-team reps through the offseason while Mahomes recovers. Other teams were interested in the former Bear and Steeler, per Schefter. He adds, however, that Fields’ preference was to join the Chiefs. With an immediate path to practice time in place with respect to Kansas City, that comes as no surprise.
For the Jets, a Fields departure was made even more likely once a reunion with Geno Smith was worked out. New York traded for Smith last week, and his contract was also reworked as part of the deal. The Jets will only be responsible for $3.3MM of Smith’s compensation for 2026. Paying out a larger figure has allowed for a parting of ways in Fields’ case, something which seemed inevitable once his brief tenure atop the depth chart came to an end.
The former first-rounder secured $30MM guaranteed on a two-year free agent deal last spring. Fields served as New York’s starter for nine contests, averaging less than 140 passing yards per game with a career-low 6.2 yards per attempt average. He managed 383 rushing yards and four scores on the ground, but Fields and the Jets’ passing game was the subject of public criticism from owner Woody Johnson before head coach Aaron Glenn decided to bench him. Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook saw time afterwards; Taylor is unsigned but Cook and Bailey Zappe are still in place for the Jets.
The cap savings ($11MM) and dead money charges ($12MM) generated by this trade are essentially a wash for New York. Kansas City, meanwhile, entered Monday with roughly $10MM in cap space – nowhere near as much as the Jets. Taking on Fields at a highly reduced rate will be key for the Chiefs as they sort out their QB depth chart. Fields will join Mahomes, Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener as signal-callers in Kansas City. The Ohio State product has expressed confidence he can still operate as a starter, and the opportunity to do so on a short-term basis may present itself in 2026.
Latest On Potential Maxx Crosby Trade
The Raiders thought they ended the Maxx Crosby era when they agreed to trade the star defensive end to the Ravens on March 5. The blockbuster would have netted the Raiders a pair of first-round picks, but the Ravens backed out last Tuesday after Crosby failed a physical.
Although Crosby is recovering from a full meniscus repair, trade speculation centering on the 28-year-old has persisted. For Crosby’s part, the five-time Pro Bowler seems content to play an eighth season with the Raiders. “Im [sic] A Raider. I’m Back,” he posted on X last week.
It helps that Crosby is a fan of general manager John Spytek, rookie head coach Klint Kubiak and new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, Albert Breer of SI.com relays. Crosby has a great relationship with Leonard, the Raiders’ defensive line coach over the previous three seasons. He combined for 68 tackles for loss and 32 sacks under Leonard from 2023-25.
While there is nothing stopping teams from pursuing a Crosby trade, the Raiders have made it clear they are not giving him away for a discount, per Breer. If there are any more “serious” trade talks regarding Crosby, they are unlikely to occur until around April’s draft, according to Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom. By then, Crosby could be in position to pass a physical.
Regardless, odds are a Crosby trade will not come together before next season, according to Breer, who notes an acquiring GM would be taking a major risk in giving up significant value for Crosby. If his knee troubles continue over the next couple of years, it would be difficult for the GM to justify the gamble to a team owner.
“My gut, I think he’s a Raider,” one GM told La Canfora.
Signs are pointing to Crosby opening 2026 as a Raider, but Breer points to the possibility of a trade before the deadline if he is playing well and the team is out of contention. That may not be an outcome the Raiders are envisioning, though, after they went on a free agent spending spree. They are also expected to land their next starting quarterback, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
With a new coaching staff and much more talent on their roster, the Raiders will expect to make legitimate progress after a three-win 2025 showing. If the Raiders retain him, a healthy Crosby should boost their chances of turning things around next season.