Ravens Back Out of Maxx Crosby Trade, Patriots Land Romeo Doubs in Blockbuster NFL Free Agency Shakeup

The 2026 NFL free agency period officially opened with the legal tampering phase, allowing players to negotiate contracts with new teams. Deals can be formally signed starting Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, coinciding with the beginning of the new league year. Trades agreed upon earlier can also be finalized during this time.

One of the most unexpected developments involved the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens. The Raiders announced on Tuesday that the Ravens backed out of the trade to acquire defensive end Maxx Crosby. Details explaining why Baltimore withdrew from the deal remain undisclosed. This reversal reshapes expectations around defensive rosters for both teams entering the new season.

Meanwhile, in a high-profile free agency agreement, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs reportedly reached a four-year, $80 million deal with the New England Patriots. Doubs has yet to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a single season but has totaled 21 touchdown receptions over four years with Green Bay. The Patriots are banking on his consistent scoring ability to enhance their passing attack.

Other Notable Free Agency Moves

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: Veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward secured a one-year, $32.25 million extension with $16.25 million guaranteed. Heyward, a seven-time Pro Bowler, will remain with the Steelers through the 2027 season, entering his 16th year.

2. New York Jets: The team acquired quarterback Geno Smith from the Raiders in a trade that also involved swapping sixth- and seventh-round draft picks for 2026. Additionally, Jets signed former Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright to a one-year, $5.5 million max deal. Wright was a Pro Bowl selection with five interceptions last season.

3. Philadelphia Eagles: Young cornerback Riq Woolen agreed to a one-year contract reportedly worth up to $15 million. Woolen joins an already strong defensive unit aiming for another Super Bowl run.

4. Detroit Lions: The Lions bolstered their backfield by signing former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. The move follows Detroit’s trade of David Montgomery to the Texans. Pacheco averaged 4.6 yards per carry early in his career and managed 1,179 scrimmage yards during the 2023 season.

5. Houston Texans: The Texans continued strengthening their roster by signing offensive lineman Braden Smith to a two-year, $20 million deal, with a maximum value of $25 million. They also extended kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn with a two-year, $13 million contract, making him the highest-paid kicker in the league.

Additional Free Agent Signings

• The New Orleans Saints signed linebacker Kaden Ellis to a three-year, $33 million contract. Ellis previously played four years in New Orleans before spending recent seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

• The Cleveland Browns are expected to sign former Packers Pro Bowl center Elgton Jenkins to a two-year, $24 million contract with $20 million guaranteed. Jenkins offers versatility, able to play both guard and center positions.

• The New York Giants added kicker Jason Sanders on a one-year deal after he missed the entire previous season due to a hip injury. Sanders was an All-Pro in 2020 and boasts a 91.2% field goal accuracy rate in his last healthy season.

• Former New York Giants safety Dane Belton signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Jets, potentially increasing to $6 million with incentives. Belton had a career-high 120 total tackles last season.

• The Miami Dolphins replaced kicker Jason Sanders by signing Zane Gonzalez, who went 19-for-22 on field goals with the Falcons last season.

• The Chicago Bears signed wide receiver and kick returner Kalif Raymond, a two-time second-team All-Pro punt returner, to enhance their special teams under new head coach Ben Johnson.

As the 2026 NFL offseason progresses, teams continue making strategic personnel decisions to improve depth and flexibility across positions. Following the complex early phase of free agency and trades, analysts expect a highly dynamic roster turnover shaped by new coaching staffs and evolving team needs.