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Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase wasn’t exactly happy to hear the news of the Las Vegas Raiders trading Pro Bowl running back Maxx Crosby to the rival Baltimore Ravens.
Chase was broadcasting live video games when he said he received a text from his quarterback, Joe Burrow, about the Ravens moving Crosby. He burst out swearing when he read the text.
“Joe just texted me. The Ravens are trading Maxx Crosby,” Chase was heard saying on live radio. “No f—ing s—. No f—ing s—, brother.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase after the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 29, 2025. (Photos by Ron Chenoy/Imagn)
“I’m so_–ed right now. Oh my God.”
While considering the details, Chase couldn’t believe that Crosby was another high-level runner added to the AFC North, with Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, who rewrote the single-season sack record in 2025, and Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro TJ Watt, among others.
“How do we let this n—- go to the ef—ing division bro?” Chase asked. “… Oh my God.”
The Raiders received two first-round picks from the Ravens, including their No. 14 overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft, for the 28-year-old Crosby. Baltimore, with new defensive-minded coach Jesse Minter, is playing around with strengthening the defense, and finally got the Eastern Michigan product to Las Vegas after seven seasons.
But Chase knows Crosby can derail his career twice a year, as the Bengals haven’t had a strong offensive line in recent seasons.
Since entering the NFL in 2020 as the first overall pick, Burrow has been sacked 213 times, fourth among active quarterbacks during that time. Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield were dismissed by many.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on the sidelines of the Chicago Bears game at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025. (Photos by Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn)
The Bengals need to keep talking about their O-line going into 2026, and they have about $47 million in cap space to work with during the offseason, which begins Monday. Maybe they’ll look to expand that spot, or look to the NFL Draft to make sure Burrow is covered on all ends.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are likely to move on from their top rusher, as they didn’t apply the franchise tag to Trey Hendrickson, who is expected to get big money in free agency – one that the Bengals hoped to give him last season. Instead, he played on a one-year contract, and is an unrestricted free agent this time around.
Since losing in the AFC Championship Game in 2022, which came one season after falling to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl, the Bengals have not had the success they used to. That’s related to Burrow’s devastating injuries in 2023 and this past season, where the team finished 6-11 as the signal caller played in just eight games.
The Bengals still have firepower with Burrow and Chase, as fellow receiver Tee Higgins re-signed to an extension last season, and running back Chase Brown has been an addition since being drafted in the fifth round in 2023. He rushed for 1,019 yards and caught 69 passes for 4,325 yards.
Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase had a big reaction to Maxx Crosby being traded to the Baltimore Ravens – their AFC North rival. (Getty Images)
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But it’s always tough to beat AFC North defenses six times a year, and the Ravens will be even more formidable with Crosby on their side.
Chase knows well.
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