Bengals Made Surprise Call to Raiders About Maxx Crosby Before Ravens Blockbuster

In the high-stakes poker game of NFL roster building, the Cincinnati Bengals are often perceived as conservative players, preferring to build through the draft and develop their own. But this offseason, with the defensive line in crisis and a superstar wide receiver publicly lobbying for reinforcements, the franchise made a move that reveals a shifting, more aggressive mindset. According to a report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, before the Las Vegas Raiders ultimately sent superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals quietly placed a call to Las Vegas to gauge the possibility of a franchise-altering trade.

The Perfect Storm: Hendrickson’s Exit and Chase’s Public Campaign

The context for Cincinnati’s inquiry is crucial. The Bengals were staring down the barrel of a defensive exodus, with three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson formally requesting a trade and later departing in free agency. His absence left a gaping hole on the edge of a defense that has ranked near the bottom of the league for two consecutive seasons. The urgency was palpable, both in the front office and in the fan base.

Adding fuel to the fire was the very public campaign waged by All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. In a now-viral moment on social media, Chase didn’t just hint—he explicitly tagged Crosby, writing “Come on home @CrosbyMaxx.” This wasn’t a cryptic emoji or a subtle like; it was a full-throated recruitment pitch from the team’s most dynamic offensive weapon. It signaled a player’s understanding that to compete in the brutal AFC, the defense needed a game-wrecking force. The confluence of need, fan desire, and star-player advocacy created a perfect storm that evidently pushed the Bengals to make a call they might not have in years past.

A Late Entry to a Crowded, High-Stakes Bidding War

While the idea of Crosby in orange and black captured imaginations, the reality of the NFL trade market is cold and competitive. As detailed by Breer, the Bengals were “latecomers to the party.” By the time Cincinnati dialed Las Vegas, over a quarter of the league—more than eight teams—had already expressed some level of interest in acquiring the Raiders’ crown jewel.

The serious contenders were already deep in the fray. The Dallas Cowboys, always hunting for star power, were aggressive. The Buffalo Bills, seeking to close the gap in the AFC, were in the mix. The Chicago Bears, flush with draft capital, were a logical suitor. And, of course, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati’s AFC North nemesis, were persistently at the front of the line. This context is vital: the Bengals weren’t in a quiet, one-on-one negotiation. They were jumping into a frenzied auction where the price was skyrocketing by the hour.

Breer’s report suggests the Bengals’ inquiry was just that—an inquiry. They checked in, assessed the landscape, and likely realized the cost would be prohibitive. The Ravens ultimately secured Crosby for a monumental package headlined by two first-round picks, a price tag that would have gutted Cincinnati’s primary team-building mechanism for the foreseeable future.

Analysis: What the Bengals’ Call Really Tells Us

Even though the effort didn’t result in a deal, the mere fact the call was placed is a significant data point for the direction of the Bengals’ franchise.

• A Shift in Philosophy? The “draft and develop” model remains core, but this shows a new willingness to explore blockbuster trades for elite, established talent. The front office acknowledged that sometimes, a single transcendent player is worth capital.
• Listening to Their Stars: Ja’Marr Chase’s public plea wasn’t ignored. The Bengals demonstrated they are listening to their cornerstone players and are willing to act on their input, a key element in maintaining a positive culture and retaining talent.
• The AFC Arms Race is Real: Watching Crosby land in Baltimore, paired with a healthy Odafe Oweh, is a nightmare scenario for Joe Burrow. The Bengals’ call was likely driven by both need and the fear of a division rival getting exponentially stronger. In today’s AFC, standing pat is falling behind.
• The Price of Business: Ultimately, the call also reaffirms the economic reality for Cincinnati. Committing $50+ million per year to two players (Burrow and Crosby) while also planning to pay Ja’Marr Chase and potentially Tee Higgins massive sums is a nearly impossible cap puzzle. The draft-pick compensation was likely the secondary deterrent; the financial ramifications were primary.

Looking Ahead: Life After the Crosby Dream

So where do the Bengals go from a missed opportunity that was always a long shot? The strategy becomes clearer. Without the ability to land a singular superstar like Crosby, the focus shifts to a collective approach. The free-agent signing of veteran defensive end Trey Hendrickson’s replacement was the first step, but the draft and further strategic acquisitions will tell the full story.

The Bengals must now hope that their 2024 NFL Draft class, particularly any early-round defensive linemen, can provide an immediate impact. They will also rely heavily on the development of younger players like Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai to elevate their pass rush. The goal is no longer to find one Maxx Crosby, but to build a defensive front with multiple capable, disruptive players who can collectively pressure the likes of Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and C.J. Stroud.

Furthermore, this episode sets a fascinating precedent. The next time a disgruntled superstar edge rusher becomes available—and one inevitably will—the Bengals will already be in the database as a team willing to pick up the phone. The relationship and dialogue with agents and other teams have been subtly altered.

Conclusion: A Call That Signals Ambition, Not Failure

The image of Maxx Crosby sacking Joe Burrow twice a year in Ravens purple is one that will haunt Cincinnati. However, the revelation that the Bengals tried to prevent that future by getting Crosby themselves should be viewed not as a failure, but as a signal of elevated ambition. It was a acknowledgment that the status quo on defense was unacceptable and that all avenues to fix it were being explored.

In the end, the economics and timing didn’t align. The Ravens, with their specific cap situation and win-now roster, were simply a more logical and desperate fit. But for Bengals fans who have longed for their team to operate with the aggressive, all-in mentality of the league’s elite, this news is a promising sign. The front office is playing a new, bolder game. They didn’t win this high-stakes hand, but they showed they’re now willing to sit at the table. In the modern NFL, that change in posture might be just as important as any single trade.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.