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On Friday, the official White House account on X posted a video montage of what appeared to be drone strike footage mixed with several NFL highlights set to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” The video flipped back and forth between footage that read “UNCLASSIFIED” and a football player delivering a big hit. The caption read, “Touchdown.” Two Ravens Hall of Famers made the cut. The second clip used was a punishing hit by Ray Lewis and the next showed Ed Reed. By Sunday evening, the clip — posted to stir emotion about the ongoing war in Iran — amassed 10 million views. That’s when Reed responded, quote-tweeting Washington D.C.-based reporter Ben Jacobs and denouncing the video. “I do not approve this message,” Reed wrote. Lewis has not made any public comments. Earlier Friday, the White House posted a similar video using baseball highlights. That showed one home run after another, mainly clips of Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez. No Orioles players, past or present, were featured. “Pure American dominance,” was the caption. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Sam appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. Related Articles NFL’s free-agent spending frenzy begins first with a legal tampering period Ravens 2026 free agency tracker: QB Tyler Huntley returning on $10M deal Ravens’ Maxx Crosby speaks after trade: ‘I know there’s no guarantees’ 5 things you might not know about new Ravens star Maxx Crosby Josh Tolentino: DeCosta’s biggest swing brings Maxx Crosby to Ravens | COMMENTARY View the full article

By ROB MAADDI Ready, set, negotiate multi-million contracts. The NFL’s free agency period opens Monday with a 52-hour legal tampering period ahead of the official start of the new league year Wednesday. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III head the list of high-profile players who will be free to sign a contract with a new team. Quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray also will be seeking new teams because they’re going to be released by their teams. Here’s an explanation of rules and terms: What does legal tampering mean? At noon EDT Monday, teams can start negotiating with certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents when their contracts expire at the start of the new league year on 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday. Teams aren’t permitted to speak directly to the players, who can’t sign a new contract until the league year officially begins. The two-day negotiating period applies only to players who will be unrestricted free agents. Who are unrestricted free agents? Any player with four or more accrued seasons — six or more regular-season games on a club’s active/inactive, reserve/injured or reserve/physically unable to perform lists — whose contract has expired becomes an unrestricted free agent and may negotiate and sign with any team. Who are restricted free agents? Restricted free agents are players with three accrued seasons who have received a qualifying offer when their current deals expire on Wednesday. What is a franchise tag? Each team can designate one potential free agent a franchise player. Cowboys receiver George Pickens, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and Jets running back Breece Hall received the tag before the March 3 deadline. An exclusive franchise player is not free to sign with another club and is offered the greater of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 17; or the amount of the required tender for a nonexclusive franchise player. A nonexclusive franchise player can sign with another team, but that club will owe his previous team two first-round draft picks. All the players tagged this year are nonexclusive. What is a transition tag? The transition tag is a one-year offer for the average of top 10 salaries at the position. It guarantees the original club the right of first refusal to match any offer the player might receive from another team. The tagging team is awarded no compensation if it chooses not to match a deal. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones received the transition tag this year. The signing period for transition players begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 11 and ends on July 22. After July 22 and until 4 p.m. EDT on the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season, the prior club has exclusive negotiating rights. Teams can decide to withdraw franchise and transition tags and the player automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent. What is the salary cap for 2026? The salary cap is $301.2 million per club, up from $279.2 million last year. Teams must be under the salary cap by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday. What is salary cap rollover? A team may carry over salary cap space from one league year to the following league year by submitting notice to the NFL prior to 4 p.m. EDT on the day following the team’s final regular-season game. A team can carry over 100% of its remaining 2025 room to its adjusted salary cap for 2026. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl View the full article

The Ravens entered this offseason under first-year coach Jesse Minter with more questions than answers. In addition to building an entirely new coaching staff and trying to navigate a path forward following an unsatisfactory 8-9 campaign that resulted in Baltimore failing to reach the postseason for the first time since 2021, the roster is in significant flux. The Ravens have 19 unrestricted free agents, one restricted free agent (running back Keaton Mitchell) and a handful of exclusive rights free agents (players with fewer than three accrued seasons who cannot negotiate with other teams if tendered). Many of them were starters or played significant roles last season, and general manager Eric DeCosta must now decide who Baltimore wants to bring back with several needs across multiple position groups. The NFL’s legal tampering period begins Monday at noon, which is when teams can officially meet with representatives of free agents. Though free agents can’t sign with new teams and players can’t officially be traded until the start of the new league year beginning Wednesday at 4 p.m., many deals will already have been agreed upon by then. Here is the latest on the Ravens’ signings, departures and notable moves. March 7: QB Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley returning Veteran Cooper Rush never looked like the right fit for the Ravens’ offense, despite his previous success with the Dallas Cowboys. So it’s of little surprise that Baltimore is bringing back its most familiar backup to Lamar Jackson. Huntley led the Ravens to a pair of crucial wins to temporarily keep their playoff hopes alive last season while Jackson was injured. Now he’s being rewarded with a two-year, $10 million deal that is worth up to $11 million with incentives, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The former undrafted free agent who spent all but one of his six seasons with the Ravens had earned just over $7 million for his career before the new contract. Baltimore can also save $2.1 million by designating Rush as a post-June1 release and save another $700,000 from a roster bonus if they make a move by March 15. As for Huntley, he completed 77.6% of his passes for 426 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and rushed for 151 yards on 24 attempts in five games last season. That included a Week 17 must-win matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, where Huntley completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and touchdown and ran for 60 yards on eight carries in the 41-24 victory. “We got all the trust in the world in ‘Snoop,’” center Tyler Linderbaum said after the victory over the Packers. “He got us out of some really critical situations and made a lot of plays. That’s what you need.” Related Articles Ravens’ Maxx Crosby speaks after trade: ‘I know there’s no guarantees’ 5 things you might not know about new Ravens star Maxx Crosby Josh Tolentino: DeCosta’s biggest swing brings Maxx Crosby to Ravens | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens turn weakness into strength with Maxx Crosby trade | COMMENTARY NFL pundits react to Ravens trading for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby In his two starts — the other came at home against the Chicago Bears in Week 8 — Huntley completed 33 of 42 passes for 293 yards and two scores while adding another 113 rushing yards on 16 carries. Huntley was Jackson’s primary backup from 2021 to 2023 before signing with the Browns in free agency in 2024. He then rejoined the Ravens’ practice squad after Cleveland released him before the start of the regular season. He was then signed off their practice squad by the Dolphins, going 2-3 as a starter for Miami before returning to Baltimore for his third stint last year. For his career, Huntley, who is close with Jackson and has guided Baltimore to seven wins in 16 starts, has completed 66.2% of his passes for 3,212 yards and 13 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He has also rushed for 795 yards and five scores on 165 carries. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Maxx Crosby sat under studio lights and delivered a nearly 13-minute monologue that served as his farewell to Las Vegas and hello to Baltimore. The uber-talented edge rusher, who the Ravens traded away two first-round draft picks to acquire on Friday night, said that he’d keep his promise to be a “Raider for life.” Crosby wants to one day retire wearing a silver and black jersey, “but for the time being, it’s a new day. I’m going to Baltimore.” Crosby posted the video to several social channels. He wore a camo hoodie and a backwards black hat, deeply exhaled, and began his goodbye by acknowledging that he couldn’t believe this was real (a sentiment many Ravens fans share). The five-time Pro Bowl selection never thought that he’d leave the Raiders. Winning a championship with the team that took a chance on the kid from Eastern Michigan in the fourth round was always front of mind. Las Vegas never sniffed football in February, reaching only as far as the wild-card round in 2021. Crosby said that it was the most fun he’d ever had playing football. Now, he’ll join a defense in dire need of recapturing lost dominance. He’ll step into a locker room where simply making the playoffs isn’t enough. He’ll help shoulder the burden of championship dreams, which Crosby acknowledged. “I know it’s gonna be very difficult,” he said. “I know there’s no guarantees in this. But I’m gonna give everything in my heart and soul to bring a championship to Baltimore.” The Ravens will have Crosby under team control through 2029. The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension last March with a salary cap hit of $35.8 million for 2026 and $115.8 million in total remaining on his deal. He’s earned every bit, logging 69 1/2 sacks over seven seasons. Crosby said that he’s already spoken with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, general manager Eric DeCosta, first-year coach Jesse Minter and several other coaches. He promised to “lead by action.” “I’m going to be myself fully,” he said. “I’m going to help the organization, help my teammates, help everyone involved, get as close as we possibly can, and get to the pinnacle. And that requires hard work. It’s going to be ups and downs. It’s going to be a roller coaster. But, ultimately, the goal never changes.” The video concluded with a series of thank yous. Crosby was transparent in his intentions: win here, go home, and retire off into the sunset. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Sam appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. Related Articles 5 things you might not know about new Ravens star Maxx Crosby Josh Tolentino: DeCosta’s biggest swing brings Maxx Crosby to Ravens | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens turn weakness into strength with Maxx Crosby trade | COMMENTARY NFL pundits react to Ravens trading for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby Instant analysis of Ravens’ trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby View the full article

Two weeks ago, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged a need to “augment” the team’s pass rush. Each of the past two Super Bowl winners featured a “ferocious pass rush” and, somehow, some way, he wanted that in Baltimore. On Friday, DeCosta took the biggest swing of his front office tenure by trading two first-round draft picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for superstar Maxx Crosby. Here are five (outside the obvious) things to know about Baltimore’s new pass rusher: He once signed the largest non-QB deal. That lasted less than a week. Three-hundred-and-sixty-four days before he was traded to the Ravens, Las Vegas made Crosby the highest-paid player in the NFL who isn’t a quarterback. It was a three-year, $106.5 million extension. Crosby held that title for all of four days before Cleveland made Myles Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback. But it’s a nod to how valuable the position is and the caliber of player coming to Baltimore. Former Raiders coach Pete Carroll said at the time, “There’s no way we could find anybody that is more focused and directed and committed to giving everything he’s got to every opportunity he is going to get.” That opportunity looks a whole lot different one year later, nearly to the day. He went to rehab after a battle with addiction. Crosby has been sober since March 11, 2020. He’s been fairly transparent about addiction throughout his career. It started in high school and only intensified while playing at Eastern Michigan. There, he was suspended from the team after wrecking his car in a drunk driving accident. Coach Chris Creighton suspended him for two games, but struck a deal before the second: If Crosby stayed sober, took frequent breathalyzer and drug tests, and did community service, he could return after one game. Crosby stayed sober for nine months and made it to the NFL. Then he relapsed. Alcoholism runs in his family, Crosby said in 2021. He finished runner-up for NFL Rookie of the Year with a 10-sack season while battling alcohol dependency. Days before the world shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic, Crosby began a month-long stay in a rehab facility. “It was a big struggle,” he told ESPN in 2021. “But looking back on my journey, I know five years, 10 years down the road, I’ll look back and be like, that was the biggest offseason of my life, even though I was just trying to get my [stuff] together and just trying to stay above water. I know if I can make it through that [stuff] and get sober, I can do anything. It was special, and I met some awesome people along the way.” Related Articles Josh Tolentino: DeCosta’s biggest swing brings Maxx Crosby to Ravens | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens turn weakness into strength with Maxx Crosby trade | COMMENTARY NFL pundits react to Ravens trading for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby Instant analysis of Ravens’ trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike provides most encouraging update yet He’s known for sacking the quarterback, but he’s also a merciless run defender. The Ravens are no strangers to Crosby’s propensity for dragging down quarterbacks. In two meetings since 2021, the Raiders have twice beaten the Ravens, partially off the strength of multi-sack outings from Crosby. The five-time Pro Bowl selection has four double-digit sack seasons. He logged a career high 14 1/2 in 2023, and he isn’t nicknamed “Mad Maxx” by accident. Those numbers are all reasons to be intrigued by how quickly he’ll upgrade Baltimore’s pass rush. But he can plug the run too. Crosby has three seasons with more than 20 tackles for loss. He led the league in TFLs in 2022 and 2023, with 22 and 23, respectively. He played only 15 games this past season and still managed double-digit sacks to complement a career-high 28 TFLs, second only to Garrett. This past season, Pro Football Focus graded Crosby’s run defense (78.1) a tick higher than his pass rush (77.1). Same with 2024 and every season going back to 2021 — so by that imperfect metric, this past season wasn’t an outlier. In fact, since 2021, Crosby has had the best run defense grade in the NFL. “He’s upfield, he’s underneath, he’s into you, he’s back around the back side, he’s spinning, he’s knocking your hands off, he’s running to the ball,” former Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Crosby last season. “He’s just a game wrecker — to use that word is exactly the right word.” The Ravens could have drafted Crosby seven years ago. To be fair, every team passed over Crosby. He was the 106th pick in the 2019 draft. There were 10 defensive ends selected before him. One of them was third-round pick Jaylon Ferguson out of Louisiana Tech. Ferguson was the all-time sack leader in FBS history, and by coming to Baltimore, he replaced the guy he usurped for the record: Terrell Suggs. Ferguson died three years later. Ferguson was much higher on team draft boards than Crosby coming out of college. But the Colleyville, Texas, native burst onto the scene in his first year at the pro level and never looked back, blossoming into one of the league’s most dominant edge defenders. One AFC team scout told NFL.com in 2019 that “when you watch him on tape, it gives off the same vibe as watching a good player’s old high school tape before he grew into his body.” Crosby proved him wrong. Add Crosby to the list of players with a podcast. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey has a podcast. Pass rusher Kyle Van Noy hosted a short show reacting to games. Both are questionable to return in 2026, but either way, there’s new listening material for Ravens fans interested in player podcasts. It’s called “The Rush With Maxx Crosby.” He has 129 episodes and 100,000 subscribers. Former Ravens linebackers coach (among other stops) Rob Ryan, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and ESPN insider Adam Schefter have all appeared on the show. During the season, Crosby reacted to happenings around the NFL and weighed in on some of the league’s preeminent storylines. He was asked on a recent episode if he still had intentions of being a “Raider for life.” Crosby didn’t offer much beyond “Life is good.” He has since been traded from a three-win team to a Super Bowl contender — fair to say life got even better. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Sam appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. View the full article

Just days after he fired his close friend and coach of 18 seasons, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti reaffirmed his trust in another longtime partner, general manager Eric DeCosta. The vote of confidence was understandable given DeCosta’s overall success as the franchise’s top football executive following his predecessor, Ozzie Newsome. But like outgoing coach John Harbaugh, DeCosta endured a miserable 2025 season. If the Ravens’ front office were handed a report card for last year, the general manager probably would’ve received an “F.” Among the lowlights: Nearly every position group regressed during a season that ended with an 8-9 record and the worst home mark in franchise history. A roster once touted as one of the best in the NFL was quickly exposed. DeCosta’s offseason missteps, like signing backup quarterback Cooper Rush, became glaring once Lamar Jackson went down with an injury, and the Ravens neglected to reinforce several weaknesses before the trade deadline. Despite those failures, DeCosta retained the important backing of his boss. “The hits and misses in this business, I think you have to average them out,” Bisciotti said earlier this year. “I think Eric is one of the best GMs in the league, and so I think he’s batting .800. I’m just making up a number for you — but I’m not going to look at Eric’s 200 whiffs. I’ll look at his 800 singles and doubles and home runs. To me, that’s fair.” Late Friday night, DeCosta stepped into the batter’s box and delivered the biggest swing of all. The Ravens stunned the league by acquiring star edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders in the most significant trade in franchise history, in which Baltimore parted ways with two first-round picks. Yes, two first-rounders are departing Baltimore, an organization that has historically preferred to build and develop through the draft. Crosby arrives as a five-time Pro Bowl selection who leads the league with 360 quarterback pressures since entering the NFL in 2019. The steep price reflected the magnitude of the moment. To outbid several interested teams, including the pass-rush-needy Dallas Cowboys, the Ravens traded a first-round pick for the first time in franchise history. The move represented a stunning departure from longtime structure, a clear signal that last season’s failures, paired with Harbaugh’s departure, were alarming signs for DeCosta. It could very well end up being what Bisciotti described as a “home run,” if Crosby arrives as advertised. When news of the trade broke late Friday evening, my colleague Matt Weyrich and I were sitting inside a packed bar in Sarasota, Florida, the spring training home of the Orioles. Within minutes, word spread rapidly across the room filled with Baltimore sports fans. Related Articles 5 things you might not know about new Ravens star Maxx Crosby Mike Preston: Ravens turn weakness into strength with Maxx Crosby trade | COMMENTARY NFL pundits react to Ravens trading for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby Instant analysis of Ravens’ trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike provides most encouraging update yet The reactions ranged from disbelief to pure elation. “There’s no way that’s real, DeCosta would never!” one nearby Howard County native shouted. Traditionally, that fan’s instinct might be accurate. But this is now a whacky and different type of offseason. It sure feels like that for DeCosta and company. The Ravens finished the 2025 campaign with just 30 sacks, the third-fewest in the NFL. Meanwhile, Crosby recorded 10 sacks and two forced fumbles despite missing the final two games. He has also produced 17 multi-sack performances in his career, building a reputation as one of the league’s most relentless defenders. Crosby arrives at a pretty ideal time for first-year coach Jesse Minter, who probably went to bed salivating at the idea of featuring Crosby and fellow star safety Kyle Hamilton in his defense. Looking ahead, there is still plenty of work to accomplish and hurdles to maneuver around for DeCosta and the Ravens. The NFL’s legal tampering period begins Monday, and Baltimore must address several other roster holes and Jackson’s looming cap hit if it hopes to return to playoff contention. But there’s little doubt that this move sends a clear message about the urgency at the top of the organization. Bisciotti might insist that DeCosta remains firmly in his good graces. The franchise’s owner has publicly emphasized patience and perspective when evaluating his general manager. But the stakes are high, and DeCosta is operating like his seat is warm, just like how Harbaugh’s seat evolved throughout his forgettable final season in Baltimore. By trading for Crosby, DeCosta made it clear that his urgency is higher than it’s ever been and that he has little intention of being the next one shown the door. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Josh appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. View the full article

The Ravens just became one of the top contenders to win the Super Bowl again. There had been a lot of talk about restructuring the contract for two-time Most Valuable Player and quarterback Lamar Jackson to free up salary-cap space, which would allow the Ravens to pursue top free agents, but Baltimore filled its most glaring need this offseason by agreeing to a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby on Friday night. This isn’t hype. Regardless of all the other speculation, this was by far the team’s greatest need because they had the 30th-ranked pass defense in the NFL last season and collected only 30 sacks, the third fewest in the league. To reach a deal with Crosby and the Raiders, the Ravens had to surrender first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027, but that’s what contending teams do when they feel that they are in a hunt for a championship. Jackson is 29. Running back Derrick Henry is 32, and left tackle Ronnie Stanley is 32. On the other side, middle linebacker Roquan Smith is 28 and cornerback Marlon Humphrey is 29. The Ravens needed to gamble, and they might have won. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and the modern-day signal caller is quick, fast and mobile. They can run as well as pass, and the league features speedy quarterbacks such as Jackson, New England’s Drake Maye, Denver’s Bo Nix, Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. It’s not just about pressure, but having a player who other teams have to focus on. It’s about having an end or an outside linebacker who forces offensive coordinators to stay awake at night, causing them nightmares, or having a player who can run through double or triple teams even in third-and-long situations. Crosby is no slouch against the run, either. Ask the Ravens. Ever since the team moved to Baltimore from Cleveland for the start of the 1996 season, the Ravens have had only a few dynamic pass rushers. There were defensive ends Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett at the turn of the century, and later outside linebackers Peter Boulware and Terrell Suggs. Now, they finally got another one in Crosby. No need to talk about him turning 29 in August, or his past two seasons being cut short because of injuries. It’s more about being willing to gamble and taking a shot at acquiring the best pass rusher in the game outside of Cleveland’s Myles Garrett. Since 2020, Crosby has been one of the league’s most durable players and ranks second in pressures and third in quarterback hits during that time. In six seasons, Crosby has 69 1/2 sacks, including 10 last season despite missing the last two games with a meniscus injury. Let’s compare: Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones led the team with five sacks in 2025 while outside linebacker Tavius Robinson had 4 1/2. Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green had 3 1/2. Related Articles 5 things you might not know about new Ravens star Maxx Crosby Josh Tolentino: DeCosta’s biggest swing brings Maxx Crosby to Ravens | COMMENTARY NFL pundits react to Ravens trading for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby Instant analysis of Ravens’ trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike provides most encouraging update yet Maybe the biggest player to benefit from this trade is Green, because opposing teams now have to focus on Crosby. The 2025 second-round pick will be able to get one-on-one matchups against offensive linemen instead of being the focus. And if the Ravens get Nnamdi Madubuike back from a neck injury, this front four can be almost as good as any in the NFL. They can get pressure from the outside, but also up the middle, which is key for any pass rush. At least now the Ravens might be in the class with the past two Super Bowl winners in Seattle and Philadelphia, teams that didn’t rely on exotic blitzes or crazy schemes but could get pressure with their front four. Maybe, just maybe, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has figured out that regardless of how much the NFL has changed through the years, with a lot of emphasis on the passing game, teams still win by dominating up front in the trenches or the line of scrimmage. It comes back to my favorite subject again: a team needs to have balance in all three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams — to win consistently in the NFL. After 18 seasons, DeCosta no longer has John Harbaugh to push around. He is now the coach of the New York Giants. Maybe the happiest players for the Ravens are those in the secondary, including safeties Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks and cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and Humphrey. Even if a team has Hall of Famers Deion Sanders and Mel Blount at corner, they too will get burned on occasion if there isn’t a pass rush. But this is all about the Ravens. They just improved their biggest weakness from a year ago, even though the offensive line still needs to be upgraded. But maybe those answers come in the annual NFL draft in April. For now, though, Baltimore couldn’t get pressure on the quarterback, regardless if he was stationary or mobile. That changed Friday night. The Ravens got Crosby. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The Ravens made national headlines Friday night, landing Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby in a blockbuster trade. Baltimore gave up a pair of first-round picks to land the two-time All-Pro defensive game-wrecker. Here’s a sampling of what national analysts had to say on social media in the immediate aftermath of the significant move. Field Yates, ESPN The Ravens had just 30 sacks in 2025. That was their fewest as a team in 15 years. Their team leader had just 4.5 sacks. A desperate pass rush gets fixed in a hurry with Maxx Crosby. Emmanuel Acho The Ravens gotta have the best one of the best on-paper defenses in the history of on-paper defenses. Maxx Crosby Roquan Smith Nate Wiggins Kyle Hamilton Marlon Humphrey Malaki Starks Crosby is a great chess piece for Minter. Benjamin Solak, ESPN Well done by the Raiders man, that’s excellent return. And Crosby is a huge boon for a Ravens team that has needed legit pressure presence off the edge for ages now. And has the run defense Minter’s EDGEs needs. Good fit. Warren Sharp, Sharp Football Analysis Maxx Crosby among all defensive linemen since 2019, when he entered the NFL: #1 in tackles for loss (133) #1 in solo tackles (277) #2 in QB pressures (431) #2 in QB hits (119) #3 in total tackles (437) #4 in batted passes (20) #5 in sacks (69.5) Traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Adam Schefter, ESPN AFC North adds to its pass rusher repertoire: Since 2019, Maxx Crosby has 360 pressures in his career, 29 more than the next closest player, Myles Garrett. Now both are in the same division. Tom Pelissero, NFL Network While the Raiders insisted publicly Maxx Crosby would be on the team in 2026, the reality is it was never going to happen. A trade made sense for both sides, as Las Vegas gets ammo for their rebuild and Crosby gets a fresh start at age 28. Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated Simple, and clean, no givebacks or pick swaps. A win for the Raiders to get that much, for sure. And the Ravens fill a massive need. Bill Barnwell, ESPN No doubting that the Ravens needed serious help on the edge given trading away Oweh and Kyle Van Noy/Dre’Mont Jones hitting free agency. Crosby was the best player available at their biggest position of need. Love that fit. But I wonder whether spending enough to win the [Trey] Hendrickson bidding + holding onto the first-rounders would have been a better way to attack those concerns. Ravens are very top-heavy now between Lamar (likely on a new deal), Crosby, Stanley, Madubuike, and top-of-position deals for Hamilton and Roquan Smith. You can win with that formula, but you need your stars to be healthy and really productive. Sam Monson I get why the Ravens were desperate for pass rush after last season, but I wouldn’t give up 2x 1sts for Maxx Crosby. He’s dropped off after those injuries, is almost 29. You may never be getting peak Maxx Crosby. Lindsay Rhodes, SumerSports I think the Maxx Crosby deal is a good one for both sides. And I think tonight probably sucks for Raiders fans, in spite of that. Pat McAfee, ESPN HOLY [CRAP]! What a play by The Ravens. Related Articles Instant analysis of Ravens’ trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike provides most encouraging update yet Ravens agree to trade for All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby, dealing 2 1st-round picks Explaining Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s contract situation and its implications READER POLL: Who is on Mount Rushmore of visiting athletes in Baltimore? John Breech, CBS Sports There are only three NFL players who have recorded at least 30 sacks, 70 QB hits and 45 tackles for a loss over the past three seasons combined: Myles Garrett T.J. Watt Maxx Crosby Jordan Schultz The Raiders were very consistent in their desire to land two first-rounders, according to sources. They never wavered. The Ravens were the only team willing to go there for Maxx Crosby. Dianna Russini, The Athletic Both the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys had been working on this for days. They kept communication with the Raiders. The Jacksonville Jaguars were another team trying to put together a big trade package that would get it done. Ravens win. Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens agreed to trade two first-round draft picks for Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby: Brian Wacker, reporter Eric DeCosta is going for it. For a man who values draft picks the way a farmer values good dirt, the Ravens general manager swung for the fences with a blockbuster deal to acquire superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Just how big a deal was it? Never before has Baltimore shipped a first-round pick in exchange for a player. Friday night, they agreed in principle to send two of them (this year’s 14th overall and next year’s first-round pick) for the kind of bona fide, difference-making pass rusher the Ravens haven’t had since Terrell Suggs. But with a draft class lacking elite talent, DeCosta viewed it as a worthy gamble for a player who has 69 1/2 sacks, including four seasons of at least 10, and will turn just 29 in August. That deal, along with more encouraging signs from injured defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, could be a major boost to a defense that often couldn’t find the quarterback with a map last season. Baltimore was once a feared defense and only three years ago became the first team to capture the defensive triple crown of sacks, takeaways and points allowed. Now, perhaps it’s on its way to recapturing its glory days. Mike Preston, columnist The Ravens became serious contenders again. A season ago, they had no pass rush, which made a shaky secondary look even worse. General manager Eric DeCosta made a deal to bring in Maxx Crosby, one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, to a team that only had 30 sacks a year ago. Is it a gamble? Yes, but executives take gambles when they believe they are close to winning a championship. The Ravens have to give up first-round picks in April and next season, but it’s worth the risk. The team has made a coaching change at the top, which was necessary, and the Ravens solved their biggest weakness of the offseason by trading for Crosby. It still seems surreal because this is a team that loves to build through the draft, but it’s time to forget about the storied past, a team that had won two Super Bowl titles in its first 30 years in Baltimore. It’s what has this team done lately, and the Ravens didn’t even make the playoffs last season. The Ravens have a different mindset now, and they were aggressive in agreeing to terms with Crosby. If they get defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike back (if he can remain healthy) and outside linebacker Mike Green gets better because of Crosby, this defense should be much improved for the 2026 season. Josh Tolentino, columnist Turns out, Lamar Jackson knew a big move was indeed coming. The Ravens took a major step toward fixing one of their most glaring issues late Friday evening by acquiring star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Still considered in his prime entering his age-29 season, Crosby immediately elevates a defense that finished with just 30 sacks in 2025, the third fewest in the NFL. Crosby had 10 sacks and two forced fumbles last season despite missing the final two games, and he’s posted 17 career games with multiple sacks. Crosby’s relentless motor and ability to win one-on-one off the edge – he’s also a plus defender in the run game – instantly gives the Ravens a proven difference-maker. Crosby has played in 110 career games, but only one playoff game. Now in Baltimore, the five-time Pro Bowler will aspire to help get the Ravens back to the playoffs after the franchise suffered two years of postseason regression. The jaw-dropping acquisition should also serve as a significant boost for first-year coach Jesse Minter, who now has a premier edge rusher in Crosby to build around as he reshapes the defense. Minter helped engineer a defensive turnaround during his two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, and Crosby provides the type of disruptive presence that can help anchor Minter’s system with fellow star Kyle Hamilton in the secondary. Crosby joins an edge group that features second-year player Mike Green and Tavius Robinson (eight combined sacks in 2025). There is still plenty of work ahead for the Ravens with the NFL’s legal tampering period beginning Monday, but the trade signals urgency from general manager Eric DeCosta after owner Steve Bisciotti fired longtime John Harbaugh at the end of last season. Sam Cohn, reporter This is a night worth rejoicing for those with a vested interest in Baltimore’s immediate Super Bowl aspirations. The loudest portions of the fan base have spent years dreaming — at times, pipe-dreaming — of this deal. And Eric DeCosta finally made his move, sending an unprecedented two first-round picks for an immediate positional fix. The Ravens were among the worst pass-rushing teams in 2025, down from historic runs over the two previous seasons. DeCosta didn’t shy away from that fact, saying at the combine, “We certainly know that we have to augment the pass rush and improve there.” New coach Jesse Minter called it “always a position that you’re looking for more.” Crosby brings the kind of gravitas the Ravens needed on the edge. He’s registered four double-digit sack seasons. Shortly before the deal was announced, a social media post showed All-Pro defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike working out, meaning that the Ravens could be in for a menacing pass-rush duo. It’s not hyperbole to call this the most significant trade in Ravens history — they’ve never dealt a first-round pick in 31 years. They mean business. C.J. Doon, editor If the Ravens end up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February, this will be a day to remember. What started with Lamar Jackson’s cryptic “Training Day” post ended with Nnamdi Madubuike sharing a workout video and the earth-shattering news (in NFL circles) that Maxx Crosby was headed to Baltimore. For as good as Crosby is and can still be as he enters his eighth NFL season, it’s still shocking to see Baltimore giving up first-round picks in back-to-back drafts. The Ravens have long prided themselves on being a “draft and develop” operation, which becomes even more important when a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is taking up a significant amount of salary-cap space. But no rookie was going to deliver what Crosby can in 2026, and Jackson isn’t getting any younger. On the other hand, Crosby comes with some risk. He dealt with a knee injury that required surgery last year, and he turns 29 in August. If he’s not his usual Pro Bowl self, this trade will be extremely costly. But the Ravens had to try something to fix their dormant pass rush, and what better time than now with a new coach who’s heralded as a defensive wizard? There are still holes to fix on this roster, namely the three interior spots on the offensive line. This move seems to rule out center Tyler Linderbaum coming back, given how expensive his next deal is expected to be once he hits the open market. Adding another pass catcher should be a priority. Jackson still needs to agree to an extension or a restructure to limit his cap hit. But for now, fans should celebrate. The Ravens are going for it. Bennett Conlin, editor Do you think Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is feeling the pressure to win now? So much for building entirely through the draft, as Baltimore takes a massive swing to improve its mediocre pass rush. Crosby plays with an intensity that fits the franchise’s mold and produces at a level needed for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Jesse Minter’s calling card is defense, and now he has Kyle Hamilton and Crosby as chess pieces. That’ll work. It’s extremely exciting on paper, and the trade should make the Ravens a much better team. Strengthening the offensive line is the next step. Figure out the interior of the offensive front, and fans should expect a Super Bowl. If the Ravens can’t win a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson, Hamilton and Crosby, it’d be a crying shame. Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Injured Ravens star Nnamdi Madubuike provided his most encouraging update so far on Friday night, posting a video of himself working out on his Instagram story. In the video, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle can be seen slamming a medicine ball repeatedly into the ground from over his head on his knees while music blares in the background of the undisclosed gym. It also came shortly before the Ravens agreed to a blockbuster trade for All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby, sending this year’s first-round draft pick (14th overall) and next year’s first-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for one of the league’s most elite pass rushers. As for Madubuike, who suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2 of this past season, casting doubt over his future, it marked the second promising sign since the end of January when he posted on X, “Good news.” General manager Eric DeCosta did not provide an update on Madubuike two weeks ago at the NFL scouting combine, but things are clearly trending in a positive direction. “A lot of that is things he needs to address with you guys in his time,” then-coach John Harbaugh said in late September when asked if he was worried it could be career threatening. “I really can’t speak for him, wouldn’t want to. Those are questions that would be best answered by him going forward.” Whether Madubuike’s posts mean that he will be able to return for next season remains to be seen, but his potential return, along with Crosby’s addition, would be a massive boost for a defensive that was one of the worst in the NFL last season, particularly in getting to the quarterback. Madubuike, a 2020 third-round pick, did not immediately respond to messages for comment, nor did his agent. “I can’t really discuss that, obviously,” DeCosta said in January when asked about Madubuike’s injury. “I will say, not having Nnamdi this year was a horrible situation for our team. I think it affected us in different ways — in many ways. He is a great player, a great person, a special person. “Still working through a lot of his different ideas and things [so] that we can hopefully get more and more information about his situation. But more than that, I think just — I couldn’t talk about the specifics of him and his situation.” Now, though, new coach Jesse Minter will have Crosby to supercharge a defense that ranked 24th in yards per game (354.5), 28th in pass rush win rate (30%), per ESPN analytics, and produced the third-fewest sacks (30) in the NFL last season. Perhaps more news on Madubuike will come soon as well. Should Madubuike return, Baltimore will have the needed depth and impact up front with the ascending Travis Jones and veteran John Jenkins, each of whom Baltimore signed to extensions during the season. Madubuike also signed a four-year, $98 million extension in 2024. Stay tuned. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta intimated in January that Baltimore could pursue a couple of “big-ticket items” this offseason. They landed one of the biggest on Friday night. The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to trade two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby to the Ravens in exchange for Baltimore’s first-round draft pick in 2026 and 2027, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The blockbuster deal is easily the most significant trade Baltimore has made in 31 years. That DeCosta, who has been hit-and-miss on drafting pass rushers the past seven years, was willing to part with notable draft capital was also telling — of his conviction that Crosby can immediately help turn around what was one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season and help the Ravens live up to the Super Bowl expectations they fell woefully short of in 2025. “We certainly know that we have to augment the pass rush and improve there, and when we look at the best defenses, we see a ferocious pass rush, and that was lacking this year for different reasons,” DeCosta said at the NFL scouting combine two weeks ago, adding that it’s a position he felt Baltimore could “attack” this offseason. Crosby had reportedly been on his way out of Las Vegas after the Raiders placed him on injured reserve with two games remaining last season because of a knee injury. He was unhappy with that decision and left the building. The Dallas Cowboys reportedly offered a first- and second-round pick for Crosby, but Baltimore came in above them. It also marks the first time that the Ravens have traded a first-round pick for a player, and it gives the Raiders the first and 14th overall picks this April. Baltimore will now have Crosby, who signed a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension last March, under team control through 2029, with a salary cap hit of $35.8 million for 2026 and $115.8 million in total remaining on his deal. Though the trade, which materialized six days before the start of the new league year, cannot be officially processed until Wednesday, the Ravens can now focus on other needs. Most notable among them is a possible contract extension for quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, who seemed to know something big was coming with a post on X earlier in the day that read “boom.” Indeed. The expectation now for Baltimore is that Crosby, who will turn 29 in August, will help wreak havoc on opposing offenses the way that he has much of his career. It’s also a boon for what was one of the NFL’s worst pass rushes last season. There is ample evidence that he could have a major impact and help return Baltimore to being one of the league’s most feared defenses. Crosby has 69 1/2 sacks across six seasons, racking up at least 10 in four of them, including last season. Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones led the Ravens last year with five sacks, and Baltimore’s 30 tied for the third-fewest in the NFL, with the defense also languishing near the bottom in pressure rate and pass rush win-rate. By contrast, Crosby hit double digits in sacks despite missing the final two games because of a meniscus injury and finished with 73 tackles, two forced fumbles, six pass breakups, and his first career interception. A stout run defender, his 28 tackles for loss also ranked second behind only NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, and he has twice led the league in the category. His arrival also gives the Ravens their most forbidding pass rusher since Terrell Suggs and bolsters a group in need of top-tier talent as much as depth, with outside linebackers Dre’Mont Jones, Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo all due to become free agents. Another encouraging update from injured defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, just before the Crosby news broke, could potentially further solidify the defense. Madubuike, 28 and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2 of last season, and at least some doubt had been cast on his future. Second-year edge rusher Mike Green, whom Baltimore selected in the second round of last year’s draft, should benefit from Crosby’s presence as well. He had just 3 1/2 sacks in his first season, but his 34 pressures, per Pro Football Focus, ranked sixth among rookies. Outside of Green and Crosby, the Ravens’ only other outside linebackers are Tavius Robinson, who had 4 1/2 sacks in 10 games last season but is better suited as a dependable edge setter, and Adisa Isaac, who was injured most of his first two seasons. Baltimore also traded Odafe Oweh, who had 10 sacks in 2024 but struggled in Baltimore last season before finishing strong with the Los Angeles Chargers. The trade for Crosby is as well Baltimore’s most notable acquisition since dealing for linebacker Roquan Smith midway through the 2022 season for a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick, and their most noteworthy for a pass rusher since trading a third- and fifth-round pick for outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue during the 2020 season, a deal that did not pan out well for the Ravens. Landing Crosby, though, is far more momentous. Related Articles NFL pundits react to Ravens trading for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby Instant analysis of Ravens’ trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike provides most encouraging update yet Explaining Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s contract situation and its implications READER POLL: Who is on Mount Rushmore of visiting athletes in Baltimore? The Ravens are well acquainted with his disruptive abilities. After a 2024 Week 2 upset by the Raiders over Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium, Crosby was named AFC Player of the Week for his two sacks, six tackles (including four for loss) and one pass breakup. Despite his past two seasons being cut short by injury and enduring his eighth surgery in seven years, he has also been largely durable. Crosby has played 94 games since 2020 and ranks second in pressures and third in quarterback hits during that span. “I’m getting healthy. I’m in the building every single day,” he told “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” in February. “I’m in this building from 6 a.m. when it’s dark out, and I’m here until almost 2. … That’s all I care about, so all the noise, that’s news to me sometimes.” Crosby isn’t new to first-year Ravens coach Jesse Minter, who was the defensive coordinator of one of the Raiders’ AFC West rivals, the Chargers, the past two seasons. Minter also spoke about the importance of the pass rush two weeks ago. “There’s a lot of factors, I would say, that go into rushing the passer well,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s playing with the lead; sometimes it’s blitzing more. So, I think there’s a variety of ways to affect the pass rush.” Starting with having a highly impactful pass rusher. A 2019 fourth-round pick out of Eastern Michigan by the Raiders — a franchise whose unofficial motto evoked the idea that the other team’s quarterback needs to go down and go down hard — Crosby ranks third in franchise history in sacks behind Greg Townsend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long. He also has 439 career tackles, including 133 for loss, and 164 quarterback hits. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The bell marking the start of a new NFL year tolls, and with it arrives a pivotal moment in Baltimore. Monday signals the effective beginning of free agency, with the legal tampering period — when teams can contact agents of impending free agents — kicking off at noon. Wednesday at 4 p.m., players can officially put ink to paper with the start of the 2026 league year, though several deals will have long been agreed upon by then. The Ravens enter the fray with 19 unrestricted free agents, meaning that general manager Eric DeCosta and right-hand man and vice president of football administration Nick Matteo have their hands full, especially with the possibility that three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum could be cashing in elsewhere, thus leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the interior of an offensive line that will need to be rebuilt given the struggles of guards Daniel Faalele (also a free agent) and Andrew Vorhees. Baltimore’s most expensive proposition, though, revolves around the fulcrum of its organization, quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, whom the team has been trying to sign to a contract extension to lower his $74.5 million salary-cap hit to no avail. It’s a figure that looms large. The sum represents his value, but also a financial gravity that shapes decisions now and in the future. Restructure From where Jackson, 29, sits, agreeing to a deal later rather than sooner makes at least some financial sense. If Baltimore converts a portion of his $51.25 million salary to a signing bonus and adds void years, he would get a large chunk of money now. He then could wait until next offseason — when quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Bo Nix are all eligible for what should be top-of-the-market deals — to sign his own extension that would certainly top theirs. Another advantage he would have is seeing how he meshes with first-year coach Jesse Minter and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to determine whether he wanted to remain in Baltimore long-term. The Ravens, meanwhile, would clear up about $37 million of salary cap space, on top of the approximately $9 million to $12 million they are projected to have, to address myriad needs, from edge rusher to offensive line and beyond. The downside for Jackson in this equation, of course, is the risk of injury. A spate of maladies impacted his 2025 season, causing him to miss four games while also enduring, in most respects, the worst campaign of his eight-year career. The downside for Baltimore is also significant. Jackson’s 2027 salary cap hit would soar to $87 million, which would be tops in the NFL. Extension There are advantages to Jackson signing an extension now as well. For the quarterback, the injury risk is mitigated. When he signed his five-year, $260 million deal in 2023, it included $185 million guaranteed, and a similar formula would likely follow now. For the Ravens, signing Jackson to an extension would clear up the same amount of space for 2026, keep his 2027 number at a manageable figure, and, more importantly, keep him in Baltimore for the foreseeable future. This is owner Steve Bisciotti’s preference. As he said in January, simply plug new numbers into the previous contract and away they go. As for what that new number could look like? As previous coach John Harbaugh predicted, Jackson would be the highest-paid player in football, same as last time. That would mean a deal that would leapfrog Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott’s $60 million a year from the four-year, $240 million contract he signed in September 2024. Prescott holds the top mark for the biggest signing bonus at $80 million, while Buffalo Bills quarterback and 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen got the most in guaranteed money at $250 million for the deal he signed last March. For context, Jackson, who has two years and $104 million left on his contract, is currently the 10th highest-paid quarterback in terms of average annual value behind Joe Burrow, Allen, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy and Justin Herbert. Void years What would happen if Jackson doesn’t sign an extension and the Ravens go the void-year route? Aside from his cap hit skyrocketing in 2027, so would the price of an extension, given a robust quarterback market. The Ravens would also risk losing him to free agency the following year since his contract has a no-tag clause and a no-trade clause, the latter meaning that he has final sign-off if Baltimore tried to deal him. Related Articles READER POLL: Who is on Mount Rushmore of visiting athletes in Baltimore? Why this guard prospect has dominated Ravens first-round mock drafts Ravens TE Isaiah Likely discusses potentially leaving team, Lamar Jackson What ‘big ticket’ move will Ravens GM Eric DeCosta make? Sizing up edge rushers. A closer look at Ravens free-agent priorities, including Tyler Linderbaum From the podium at the NFL scouting combine two weeks ago, DeCosta was asked the inevitable question: Is he confident that he will be able to sign Jackson to an extension? He didn’t equivocate. “I am,” he said. “I definitely am.” Then on Friday afternoon, Jackson posted on X an animated image of actor Denzel Washington saying “boom” during the movie “Training Day,” adding a smiley face. Interpreting the meaning is a lot like trying to divine Washington’s character’s initial intent for his partner, played by Ethan Hawke. The question ultimately remains unknown. The Ravens’ situation is not dissimilar: the clock is ticking. But unlike in the film, the answer will arrive any day now. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Lionel Messi, the FIFA World Cup Champion and legendary soccer star, will make an appearance in Baltimore when Inter Miami faces D.C. United at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Messi, 38, is entering the twilight of his historic career, but remains one of the most popular athletes in the world — just ask his 511 million Instagram followers. His presence in Baltimore has already triggered increased security and will likely generate plenty of buzz inside M&T Bank Stadium in what is slated as a home game for D.C. United. The arrival of Messi in Baltimore spurred a discussion within The Baltimore Sun newsroom: Who are the greatest athletes to visit this city? What sports legends made surprise appearances? We’ve compiled a list of athletes, some among the greatest in their sports’ histories, but we want to hear from you. Who should comprise the Mount Rushmore of athletes to compete in Baltimore, outside of those who played for the city’s two professional teams? If there’s a name you want added, select “other” and list your entry in the comments. We want to know your thoughts. Can’t see the poll? Vote here The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

During the NFL scouting combine, mock drafts fell in love with the idea of Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane falling to the Ravens with the No. 14 pick. ESPN, The Athletic and The Ringer, among others, foresee the marriage of a team in need of blocking help and a 6-foot-4, 320-pound plow. Ioane left quite an impression at the combine. So much so that Ravens fans might soon consider learning how to pronounce his name (oh-lie-vah-VENG-ah yo-AH-nay). He goes by Vega, for short. “I’m a really bad guy,” Ioane told NFL Network’s Stacy Dales, “but in a good way. I want to kill somebody out there.” That’s the kind of energy Baltimore needs in reshaping its porous offensive line, which allowed 45 sacks this past season. The guard play was a particular hitch, and draftniks see Ioane as a Day 1 starter who could replace pending free agent Daniel Faalele or 2023 draft pick Andrew Vorhees on the interior defensive line. Rising sophomore Emery Jones Jr. should compete for the other guard role. In 2025, Ioane played 310 pass blocking snaps. He didn’t allow a single sack and surrendered just three pressures. There were viral moments, too: leveling a UCLA linebacker, driving an Oregon defensive back à la Michael Oher in “The Blind Side” and man-handling other Big Ten pass rushers displaying his brutish side. The other clip the internet ate up was more of a nod to his character. It was during a tumultuous stretch in State College, Pennsylvania, weeks removed from Penn State firing its longtime coach, James Franklin. Ioane and his teammates trudged up a ramp off Ohio State’s field. Buckeye fans heckled relentlessly. Vibes were low. Then the camera caught Ioane’s massive frame leap over a partition to help an equipment manager push a bulky cart — equal parts big-boy athleticism and empathy. It was a small moment, but NFL decision-makers weigh everything when investing capital into a player. He’s one of nine children. Ioane started playing football as a high school sophomore and his parents were woefully unaware for the first three weeks of the season, assuming that he was just hanging with friends on a Friday night. “Now, they love football,” he said at the combine. How exactly the Ravens handle their first-round pick will drive discourse until April 23, when the war room in Owings Mills phones a decision to league officials. Offensive line is a priority. So is the need for edge rushing help. The Ravens might be intrigued by a premier wide receiver, too. They’ll likely address all three through a combination of free agency and the draft. The majority of mock drafts — as of early March — like Ioane to Baltimore. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote, “Ioane is one of the best players in the draft, although his lack of positional versatility could help him land in Baltimore’s lap.” ESPN’s Jordan Reid believes that Ioane has the “feet, strength and base” to protect Lamar Jackson. The Ringer’s Danny Kelly pointed out how if the Ravens go this route, Ioane would “bring some nasty” to a run game that already ranked near the top of the NFL each of the past two seasons. Related Articles Ravens TE Isaiah Likely discusses potentially leaving team, Lamar Jackson What ‘big ticket’ move will Ravens GM Eric DeCosta make? Sizing up edge rushers. A closer look at Ravens free-agent priorities, including Tyler Linderbaum Josh Tolentino: Ravens need to avoid the drama and extend Lamar Jackson | COMMENTARY READER POLL: Where will the Orioles finish in the AL East? What makes Ioane special is that he’s fundamentally sound, can bully defenders into the second level and is agile for his size. He has exceptional recall as well. When a reporter at the combine asked for a play he could show prospective NFL teams, one that exemplifies who he is as a blocker, Ioane casually rattled off specifics: “Nebraska game, play 28, pin and pull play. Northwestern, play 45, man-on-man block, ran over 15 yards and dumped him.” The Ravens don’t often draft offensive linemen in the first round, but they tend to hit when they do. All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley was selected sixth overall in 2016, and center Tyler Linderbaum went No. 25 in 2022. Before Stanley, they picked Oher in the first round in 2009. If the Ravens go down the offensive lineman path, it’s likely either Ioane or Utah’s Spencer Fano who wind up in Baltimore. Fano played tackle each of the past two seasons but said at the combine he’s willing to change positions if it helps his career trajectory. Of course, all that could change with how the Ravens address concerns in free agency. Perhaps they restructure Jackson’s contract and looming $74.5 million cap hit to spend considerable money on an edge rusher. Perhaps they see value in a free agent offensive lineman and pivot to using the first-round pick on an edge rusher or receiver. What if there’s a defensive back prospect available who excites the war room? At the end of the day, general manager Eric DeCosta’s best-available approach will prevail. “In the first two to three rounds,” he said, “you’re really going to focus on if this is the best player at this pick with the idea of need.” There’s a decent chance that 13 picks go by and Ioane is still available. Plenty of first- and second-iteration mock drafts think it makes sense. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Sam appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. View the full article

Isaiah Likely leaned back in his chair and smiled when asked by “Up and Adams” host Kay Adams if the door is still open for a return to the Ravens. “I tell everybody the door is always open for Baltimore only because that’s family,” the tight end said. “They took a chance on me when all 31 [teams] passed. “But at the end of the day … business is business and I gotta do right by me, right by my family and right by what I feel like I can do in this league. And I feel like I’ve shown enough ability to be able to help any quarterback in any situation to be able to put points on the board and help an offense.” Likely, who will turn just 26 next month, is scheduled to become a free agent next week. His chances of re-signing with the Ravens were also clarified when they signed fellow tight end Mark Andrews, who was also slated to hit the open market, to a three-year, $39 million contract extension in early December. General manager Eric DeCosta didn’t officially rule out being able to bring Likely back, but the tight end’s response all but confirms what has felt obvious. He also has not heard from new coach Jesse Minter or offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. At one point, it was believed that Likely would return and Andrews, who will turn 31 in September, would not. But with Likely’s asking price for a new contract too high, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations, and far exceeding his production and based more on future expected performance, the two sides never got particularly close to getting a deal done. That forced the Ravens’ hand and they opted to go with the more affordable option in Andrews, who holds the franchise record for career receiving yards (5,952), career receptions (484) and career touchdown catches (56). He also holds the record for single-season catches (107) and receiving yards (1,361). Still, given Likely’s age and ascendant ability, along with his close relationship with two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and quarterback Lamar Jackson, the thought lingers in some corners that perhaps Jackson might have some sway when it came to keeping one of his favorite targets, particularly when plays break down, and one of the few players on the team with whom he spends time away from the field. Asked by Adams if Jackson tried to persuade the 2022 fourth-round draft pick out of Coastal Carolina to stay, Likely said that as his “brother” he did, but that Jackson — who is in the midst of his own contract negotiations to lower his $74.5 million salary cap hit — understands the business side of football. “I feel like it won’t hit me until it hits me,” Likely said of parting ways with the only quarterback he’s ever known. “It’s one of those feelings.” Likely also seems to be enjoying, at least a little, being one of the belles of the free agent ball. “It feels like — I was never a five-star recruit in high school, so I guess this is what it feels like to be a highly recruited kid I guess,” he said, again leaning back in his chair, smile stretched across his face. Whether he gets a top-tier contract remains to be seen, however, with most projections in the $9 million to $12 million per year range, the latter placing him 11th among tight ends in terms of average annual value. He will have plenty of pursuers, though. At least seven teams have a major need at tight end, including the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and New York Giants, now led by Likely’s former coach, John Harbaugh. In any scenario, whoever signs him will be betting a bit more on what he will be than what he has been. Only once in his four seasons has Likely had more than 36 catches in a season. That was in 2024 when he had 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs. Sidelined with a broken foot for the first three games last season, he had just 27 catches on 36 targets for 307 yards and one touchdown — though one in a Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers was controversially wiped off the board by replay. Related Articles What ‘big ticket’ move will Ravens GM Eric DeCosta make? Sizing up edge rushers. A closer look at Ravens free-agent priorities, including Tyler Linderbaum Josh Tolentino: Ravens need to avoid the drama and extend Lamar Jackson | COMMENTARY READER POLL: Where will the Orioles finish in the AL East? From rugby to Ravens: Team hires Nic Gill to newly created fitness role He has also never been a lead tight end and has averaged just over 50% of the offensive snap counts for his career in Baltimore, where he was on the field for 60% of plays in 2024 and 57% last season. He has, however, shown prowess as a run-blocker, with his 84.1 grade in 2024 from Pro Football Focus tops among his peers, though that number dipped to 66.5 last season. Understandably, Likely is also looking to go somewhere where he can break out and likened himself to a knight in chess, “because everybody doesn’t understand quote unquote how dangerous the horse piece can be, being able to only be able to go certain ways. “When you’re a chess piece in the offense, when you’re able to line up anywhere outside, inside, in the backfield, a defense will never be able to sit there and say ‘Hey, I know what he’s doing at this point.’ … It makes a defensive coordinator sit up at night saying, ‘How do we not stop 80 but contain him to the point where he’s not taking over the game and beating us himself?’ and that’s what I feel like the knight does.” Now the only question is which suit of armor he’ll be wearing next season. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article