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Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase was not at all happy with the news that the Las Vegas Raiders traded five-time Pro Bowl running back Maxx Crosby to their rivals, the Baltimore Ravens.
Chase was on a live stream playing video games when he said he received a text from his quarterback, Joe Burrow, about the Ravens’ move for Crosby. He went on an expletive-laden tirade once he read the text.
“Joe just texted me. The Ravens traded for Maxx Crosby,” Chase was heard saying on the live broadcast. “No sh*t. No sh*t, bro.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) watches after the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 29, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Image Images)
“I’m so fucking angry right now. Oh my God.”
As he processed the information, Chase couldn’t believe that Crosby was another high-end pass rusher added to an already stacked AFC North, which has the Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, who rewrote the single-season sack record in 2025, and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Pro TJ Watt, among others.
“How do we let this n—- go to the damn division bro?” Chase questioned. “…Oh my god.”
The Raiders received two first-round picks from the Ravens, including their 14th overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft, to land the 28-year-old Crosby. Baltimore, under new defensive-minded head coach Jesse Minter, is not playing around with bolstering the defense, and they finally yanked the Eastern Michigan product out of Las Vegas after seven seasons.
But Chase knows Crosby could be affecting his twice-yearly workload, as the Bengals haven’t had the most offensive linemen in recent seasons.
Since entering the NFL in 2020 as the No. 1 overall pick, Burrow has been sacked 213 times, the fourth-most among active quarterbacks in that span. Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield have been fired more.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) watches from the sideline during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025. (Kiyoshi Mio/Image Images)
The Bengals certainly need to continue addressing their O-line heading into 2026, and they currently have about $47 million to work with during the legal tampering period, which begins Monday. Perhaps they’ll look to shore up that spot, or look to the NFL Draft to make sure Burrow is covered on all ends.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are likely moving on from their best pass rusher, as they did not use the franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson, who is expected to get a big deal in free agency, one that he expected the Bengals to give him last offseason. Instead, he played on a one-year deal and is an unrestricted free agent this time around.
Since losing in the AFC Championship Game in 2022, which came one season after losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl, the Bengals have not found the success they were accustomed to. That has to do in part with Burrow’s serious injuries in 2023 and last season, where the team finished 6-11 when the signal-caller played just eight games.
The Bengals still have the offensive firepower to go with Burrow and Chase, as fellow receiver Tee Higgins re-signed to an extension last offseason, and running back Chase Brown has been a big addition since being drafted in the fifth round in 2023. He ran for 1,019 yards and caught 69 passes for 437 yards in 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase had a big reaction to Maxx Crosby’s trade to the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens. (GETTY)
But it’s always tough facing AFC North defenses six times a year, and the Ravens will be more formidable with Crosby on their side.
Chase clearly knows this.
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