The Baltimore Ravens just threw the NFL world into chaos. They had agreed to trade for Maxx Crosby when the new league year begins on Wednesday, but in a stunning last-minute twist, they have pulled the plug.
That decision sends shockwaves through the entire league, and those ripple effects could hit the Green Bay Packers. Hard.
In two ways, in fact. The first is that it brings the Chicago Bears back into play for Crosby. The second is that it could impact the Packers' trade with the Dallas Cowboys for Rashan Gary. Let's break it down.
Maxx Crosby trade stunner could directly impact the Packers in two nightmarish ways
First, the Gary trade. All signs pointed toward the Packers making Gary a cap casualty, but Jerry Jones came in to save the day, offering Green Bay a fourth-round pick. That's now in jeopardy.
The Cowboys were strongly interested in trading for Crosby, with NFL insider Jordan Schultz reporting that they were the "runners-up." One would assume that with the Ravens out of the picture, Dallas could again step up its interest.
And if Jones can land Crosby, there's every chance he pulls the plug on the Gary trade with Green Bay. Remember, nothing becomes official until Wednesday, the beginning of the league year. The Packers-Cowboys deal is very much written in pencil and not over the finish line yet.
The Packers would then, presumably, cut Gary instead of trading him, wiping away the possibility of landing a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Another scenario is even more nightmarish.
Losing a fourth-rounder would hurt, but far worse would be watching Crosby join the Bears. According to Rich Eisen, Chicago was also willing to part ways with two first-round picks to trade for Crosby. Las Vegas ultimately chose Baltimore because it had a higher draft pick.
Crosby is now available again, which opens the door for the Bears to make another offer of two first-round picks. Enter Nightmare Scenario No. 2.
Baltimore landing Crosby was totally harmless for the Packers. They wouldn't have to worry about facing him in the NFC. But if the all-world pass-rusher joins the Bears? Ugh.
Pick your lane. Crosby to the Cowboys or Crosby to the Bears? Hopefully, there's a third path because those two are scary enough. The first could cost the Packers a draft pick. The second isn't even worth thinking about.
The fallout from this debacle will hit the entire league in the days ahead, and it could create a Packers nightmare.