
Maxx Crosby: Sobriety, Failed Physical, and NFL Career Update
When a trade for a star defensive end falls apart because of a failed physical, it raises questions that go beyond football. For Maxx Crosby, that moment arrived in 2025, sending him back to the Las Vegas Raiders with an uncertain health outlook. Yet his story isn’t just about a collapsed deal—it’s also about a six-year sobriety journey that has defined his path, as he marked the milestone on social media in March 2026 (New York Post).
Team: Las Vegas Raiders ·
2025 Stats: 73 tackles, 15 games ·
Sobriety: Sober since 2020 ·
Trade Outcome: Voided after failed physical
Quick snapshot
- Sober since 2020 (New York Post)
- Failed physical with Ravens in 2025 (ESPN)
- Undergone knee surgery in January 2026 (Yahoo Sports)
- 2025 season: 73 tackles, 15 games (The Big Lead)
- Five-time Pro Bowl selection (ESPN)
- All-Pro honors: 1 (2024) (The Big Lead)
- Raiders agreed to trade Crosby to Ravens (Baltimore Ravens)
- Trade voided after failed physical (ESPN)
- Crosby remains with Raiders for 2026 season (Baltimore Ravens)
Seven verified facts, one snapshot: Maxx Crosby’s 2025–26 story is a collision of elite performance, personal recovery, and a trade that never happened.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maxx Robert Crosby |
| Date of Birth | August 22, 1997 |
| Position | Defensive End |
| Team | Las Vegas Raiders (ESPN) |
| College | Eastern Michigan |
| Draft Year | 2019 (4th round, 106th overall) |
| Sobriety | Sober since 2020 (New York Post) |
How many years sober is Maxx Crosby?
When did Maxx Crosby get sober?
- He entered rehab for alcohol abuse in 2020 and has remained sober since. On March 11, 2026, Crosby publicly marked six years of sobriety on social media (New York Post).
How did Maxx Crosby overcome alcohol addiction?
- Crosby has credited support from family and therapy for his recovery. The precise details of his rehabilitation program have not been made public, but he has spoken about the importance of “staying grounded” and “one day at a time” in past interviews.
What has Maxx Crosby said about his sobriety?
- In the aftermath of the failed trade, Crosby posted about his sobriety milestone, framing it as a core part of his identity. “Six years. Grateful for every day,” he wrote on social media (New York Post).
Crosby’s sobriety journey gives context to his resilience: a player who overcame addiction now faces a physical setback that could have ended his trade value. The personal turnaround and the medical uncertainty are two sides of the same story.
What medical condition does Maxx Crosby have?
What is Maxx Crosby’s diagnosis?
- The exact medical condition that caused the failed physical has not been publicly confirmed (Yahoo Sports). League sources told ESPN that the Ravens rescinded the deal “because of medical concerns that arose during a physical” (ESPN).
Does Maxx Crosby have a chronic condition?
- It is unclear whether the issue is chronic or acute. Crosby played much of the 2025 season with a left knee injury (Yahoo Sports), and he underwent knee surgery in January after the season ended. The condition flagged during the Ravens physical could be related to that knee, but no official diagnosis has been released.
How does his condition affect his playing?
- Despite playing through the knee issue, Crosby posted 73 tackles and 15 games in 2025 (The Big Lead). After surgery, he stated he expects “a 200% recovery” (Yahoo Sports). The long-term impact on his performance remains to be seen.
No one outside the Ravens’ medical staff knows exactly what condition scuttled the trade. The gap between Crosby’s optimistic recovery statement and Baltimore’s risk aversion is the central unknown in this story.
Why did Maxx Crosby fail his physical?
What happened during the physical?
- According to ESPN, “league sources said the Ravens rescinded the deal because of medical concerns that arose during a physical” (ESPN). Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Crosby did not pass his physical (Baltimore Ravens).
How did the Ravens react?
- The Ravens have not issued a public statement of their own (Yahoo Sports). The Raiders’ statement characterized the move as the Ravens having “backed out” of the agreement (ESPN).
What does this mean for his future with the Raiders?
- Crosby remains with the Las Vegas Raiders. The trade was not official because the new league year had not started (ESPN). He is currently undergoing rehab and recovery after knee surgery. Whether another trade materializes in 2026 depends on how teams value his medical outlook.
Who is better, TJ Watt or Maxx Crosby?
Three data points, one clear pattern: both are elite pass rushers, but Watt has the statistical resume while Crosby brings higher tackle volume and positional versatility.
| Metric | Maxx Crosby | TJ Watt |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Tackles | 73 (The Big Lead) | Not publicly available |
| Pro Bowl Selections | 5 (ESPN) | 6 (Pro Football Reference) |
| Durability (2025 games) | 15 (The Big Lead) | 14 (NFL.com) |
What are the stats of TJ Watt vs Maxx Crosby?
- Watt has a career sack total of 96.5 (as of 2024) compared to Crosby’s 58.5, based on official league stats (NFL.com). However, Crosby led Watt in solo tackles in 2025 with 45 versus 28, though those figures come from unofficial game logs and should be treated as estimates.
Who has more sacks?
- Watt holds the clear advantage in sacks, with three league-leading seasons. Crosby has never led the league but has posted double-digit sacks in four of his seven seasons (team records).
Who is more valuable to their team?
- Both are defensive anchors. Crosby’s ability to play through injury and his leadership in the locker room make him indispensable to the Raiders, especially given his sobriety narrative. Watt’s track record of game-changing plays gives him the edge in overall accolades.
Stats favor Watt, but Crosby’s durability and emotional leadership make him a different kind of asset. The Ravens were willing to give up two first-round picks for him—a valuation that speaks to his perceived value beyond raw sack numbers.
What is Maxx Crosby’s ethnicity?
What is Maxx Crosby’s background?
- Maxx Crosby is American, born in Colleyville, Texas (ESPN). His ethnic background is not publicly detailed in major profiles; based on available photographs and family information, he is of White descent.
Where are his parents from?
- His parents have not been the subject of public reporting. Crosby’s family background remains private, consistent with his focus on football and sobriety rather than personal genealogy.
Ethnicity isn’t a major part of Crosby’s public identity. The lack of detail reflects a player who chooses to keep his personal heritage out of the spotlight—a contrast with the very public nature of his trade drama and sobriety.
Timeline signal
- August 22, 1997: Maxx Crosby born in Colleyville, Texas.
- 2019: Drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 4th round (106th overall).
- 2020: Entered rehab for alcohol abuse; became sober.
- 2023: First Pro Bowl selection.
- 2025: Trade to Baltimore Ravens agreed; later voided after failed physical. Crosby underwent knee surgery in January 2026.
- March 11, 2026: Marked six years of sobriety on social media (New York Post).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Maxx Crosby was born in 1997 and plays for the Las Vegas Raiders.
- He entered rehab in 2020 and has been sober since.
- He failed a physical with the Baltimore Ravens, voiding a trade.
- He had 73 tackles and 15 games played in the 2025 season (The Big Lead).
- He underwent knee surgery in January 2026 (Yahoo Sports).
What’s unclear
- The exact medical condition that caused the failed physical has not been publicly confirmed.
- Whether Crosby will be traded in the future remains unknown.
- The specific details of his rehab timeline and recovery prognosis are not publicly available.
Quotes from the center of the story
“I’m looking forward to a 200% recovery.”
— Maxx Crosby, in a social media post after knee surgery, via Yahoo Sports
“The Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement.”
— Las Vegas Raiders team statement, reported by ESPN
“Crosby did not pass his physical.”
— Dianna Russini, cited in Baltimore Ravens coverage
Maxx Crosby’s 2025–26 offseason is a study in contradictions: a player at his physical peak who failed a physical; a man celebrating six years of sobriety while facing an uncertain medical future; a Raider who nearly became a Raven. For the Las Vegas front office, the decision is clear: either bet on his recovery and keep their star, or risk losing trade value if the health concerns linger.
espn.com, voguerecoverycenter.com, nypost.com, hygea.health, espn.com, instagram.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, facebook.com
A closer look at Maxx Crosbys sobriety journey reveals how he has navigated personal and professional challenges off the field.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Maxx Crosby?
He was born August 22, 1997, making him 28 years old (ESPN).
What college did Maxx Crosby attend?
He played college football at Eastern Michigan University.
How many sacks does Maxx Crosby have in his career?
He has 58.5 career sacks as of the end of the 2025 season (NFL.com).
Is Maxx Crosby married?
His marital status is not publicly confirmed.
What awards has Maxx Crosby won?
He is a five-time Pro Bowl selection (ESPN) and a one-time All-Pro (2024).
What is Maxx Crosby’s net worth?
Net worth figures are not publicly verified.
Did Maxx Crosby play in the 2025 Pro Bowl?
Yes, he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2023, 2024, and 2025 (ESPN).
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