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Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was not at all happy to learn the Las Vegas Raiders were trading five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby to the rival Baltimore Ravens.
Chase was playing video games on live stream when he said he received a message from his quarterback, Joe Burrow, about the Ravens’ trade for Crosby. He let out an expletive-laden speech once he read the text.
“Joe just texted me. The Ravens traded for Maxx Crosby,” Chase was heard saying during the livestream. “No fucking shit—. No fucking shit—, bro.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) reacts during the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
“I’m very upset right now. Oh my God.”
As he processed the information, Chase couldn’t believe Crosby was yet another high-end passer added to an already stacked AFC North, which includes the Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, who rewrote the single-season sack record in 2025, and Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro TJ Watt, among others.
“How can we let this nigga go to the fucking division, bro?” » Chase asked. “… 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 Crosby, 28. Baltimore, with new defensive head coach Jesse Minter, isn’t playing to bolster the defense, and they ultimately plucked the Eastern Michigan product from Las Vegas after seven seasons.
But Chase knows Crosby could affect his workload twice a year, since the Bengals haven’t had the most offensive lines in recent seasons.
Since entering the NFL in 2020 as the first overall pick, Burrow has been sacked 213 times, the fourth-most active quarterback during that span. Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield were sacked further.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) watches from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on September 28, 2025. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
The Bengals certainly need to continue tending to their O-line through 2026, and they currently have about $47 million to work with during the legal tampering period, which begins Monday. Perhaps they’ll look to solidify that spot, or they’ll check the NFL Draft to make sure Burrow is covered on all ends.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are likely moving on from their top passer, as they didn’t use the franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson, who is expected to get a big contract in free agency — a contract he hoped the Bengals would give him last offseason. Instead, he signed a one-year deal and is an unrestricted free agent this time around.
Since their loss in the 2022 AFC Championship Game, which came a season after their loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl, the Bengals have not enjoyed the success they were accustomed to. Part of that is due to Burrow’s serious injuries in 2023 and last season, where the team finished 6-11 while the signal-caller only played in 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 real addition since being drafted in the fifth round in 2023. He rushed for 1,019 yards and caught 69 passes for 437 yards in 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase had quite the reaction to the trade of Maxx Crosby 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 even tougher with Crosby on their side.
Chase clearly knows this.
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