.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
For most of NFL history, the post-trade physical has felt from the outside like just a matter of procedure.
Players rarely fail that physical. Deals pretty much always go through as reported.
But earlier this offseason, Maxx Crosby happened, and now it looms just a little bit over everything that is to come.
No, it's not likely that A.J. Brown would fail his physical en route to a potential deal from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots (or any other last-minute suitor).
But is it possible? Crosby proved it is.
The Las Vegas Raiders' superstar edge rusher was set to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this offseason for two first-round picks. The deal was reported, and for multiple days, there was nothing to suggest contrary.
But then a few days later, it was reported that Crosby had failed his physical, and that the trade was off.
MORE: Jason Kelce says the NFL is ruining its most valuable asset
There was speculation that the Ravens got cold feet, but whatever the reason, a trade that had been so widely reported and analyzed was suddenly off the table.
Maybe even weirder, Crosby then had to go back and get ready for a new season with the Raiders as if they hadn't just agreed to trade him away.
Brown seems to have even more discomfort with the Eagles, so if somehow something fell through, maybe they'd still find a deal with a different team that didn't find his physical as concerning.
But it's just a fascinating add-on layer to watch. Before, the physical felt like nothing to worry about. Now, after the Crosby deal, it will at least be worth noting if and when Brown does indeed pass a physical after a trade.
English (US)