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TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 08: Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders embrace after the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

It’s crazy how one move can drastically change the outlook for teams across the league. In this case, the failed trade involving star pass rusher Maxx Crosby changed the outlook for multiple NFL teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The full effect of the failed trade between the Raiders and Ravens was felt during the 2026 NFL Draft, and according to Bucs general manager Jason Licht, it “helped us a little bit” when it came to landing Miami star pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round.

Bucs GM Jason Licht Believed the Failed Raiders-Maxx Crosby Trade Helped His Team

GettyRueben Bain Jr. of Miami celebrates after being selected fifteenth overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Appearing on the Pat McAfee show, Licht shared his thoughts on how the failed Maxx Crosby trade benefited his squad.

“Then I think going back to free agency, when, you know, the Raiders-Ravens trade didn’t work out, I think that in some way I’d like to think helped us a little bit. I was a little afraid if the Raiders made that trade, Spytek, he and I are very close, he was taunting me a little bit, hey, we’re sitting in front of you, I know what you need. And then, you know, Crosby goes back to the Raiders, then the Ravens are sitting there again with their pick, and I know they love their edge rushers, too, so that had me nervous.”

As a result of the failed trade, the Ravens ended up signing Trey Hendrickson on a massive four-year, $112 million deal. The Raiders, prior to the Ravens’ signing of Hendrickson, took one of Baltimore’s top players, signing center Tyler Linderbaum on a historic three-year, $81 million deal.

Those moves, along with the draft board playing out in the Bucs’ favor, resulted in the team landing one of the top edge rushers in the NFL Draft, Rueben Bain Jr., out of Miami.

“They [Ravens] took Vega, which is an awesome pick, you know, they need offensive linemen,” Licht added. “Maybe the fact that the Ravens signed Linderbaum helped us get Rueben. We’re all trying to help each other out here, especially the people that are good friends, so thanks, Spytek.”

For reference, Spytek worked with Licht as the Bucs’ assistant general manager before coming to Las Vegas.

Crosby Sends a Message to Fernando Mendoza

Maxx Crosby is looking forward to being back (he really never left) with the Raiders, and has a message to incoming No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.

“I think what helped me personally, just speaking from my experience, is you don’t need a lot of words initially. You’re a young guy. You’ve got to earn that respect from the locker room, and that’s by the work you put in and by your actions. So just being early in the building, being late to leave, being consistent, being the same guy every single day, and just being yourself, you know what I mean. Don’t be a shell of yourself. Let your personality show. I think the faster you can get to the point where you can have those real relationships.”

Mendoza knows he has to put in the extra work and is already taking 25 to 50 snaps under center with each offensive lineman.

“I’m just trying to take it all in and get better every single day, pay attention to detail, and [connect] with teammates,” Mendoza said. “I gotta prove myself.”