Wednesday’s “First Call” has lots of negative reaction toward the Baltimore Ravens for their role in rejecting the Maxx Crosby trade.
The Penguins’ failure to take two points is costly. A potential Steelers’ object of interest along the offensive line is gone.
And Pitt hopes to go 2 for 2 in the ACC Tournament.
Baltimore bull
The biggest story in the NFL right now is the Baltimore Ravens reneging on their trade for Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
Apparently, Baltimore is suggesting that Crosby failed a physical. The Raiders appear to be under the impression that the Ravens knew that would be the case, but they wanted him badly enough that they gave up two first-round picks to acquire him anyway.
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that one NFL general manager told him, “This is very much bull (expletive) on Baltimore’s part.”
Other NFL GMs have a lot of questions after the Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade because of what they told the Raiders were medical concerns. @nflnetworkpic.twitter.com/CIQSMCpHXT
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2026
That seems to be the tone across the NFL.
Teams around the NFL are definitely shocked to say the least at the Ravens backing out and a few teams who were previously interested already committed their money elsewhere so they can’t jump in now. Bad all around
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 11, 2026
Talking to other GMs around the league on the Maxx Crosby situation and his post meniscus recovery in generalities.
One had this to say:
“He was never gonna ‘pass’ a physical …based on where he is in recovery. Something else had to lead to the decision. Do they think he is…
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) March 11, 2026
Every trade is contingent on a player passing a physical. But the Raiders didn’t say Crosby failed his Ravens physical. The Raiders said the Ravens “backed out” of the trade. This feels bigger than a failed physical.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 11, 2026
So, now Baltimore doesn’t have the pass rusher it wants, and the Raiders have Crosby back on the roster when the front office has already spent much of the cap space it had created by trading for Crosby in the first place.
Crosby’s agent, C.J. LaBoy, is doing damage control for his client.
Maxx continues to be on track in his recovery and if anything is ahead of schedule according to his surgeon Dr Neal El Attrache. Maxx remains on track to return during the offseason program & will undoubtedly return as the dominant game wrecker he has been these past 7 seasons.
— CJ LaBoy (@CJLaBoy) March 11, 2026
My bet is that the NFL steps in here and mitigates some sort of nebulous, shaky settlement where Crosby still winds up in Baltimore, but the Raiders don’t get two first-round picks. However, Baltimore has to take on some sort of cap penalty, while the Raiders magically get some type of backroom exemption against their cap so they don’t feel the sting.
That didn’t last
Once Green Bay’s Elgton Jenkins was released, there was some thinking that the Steelers might try to sign him.
After all, the team just lost guard Isaac Seumalo to Arizona in free agency. So why not take a run at Jenkins? The 30-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler who can play guard or center.
But, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jenkins is heading to Cleveland instead.
The #Browns are expected to sign former #Packers Pro Bowl C Elgton Jenkins, per me and @TomPelissero. He can play guard or center for Cleveland.
It’s a 2-year, $24M deal with $20M guaranteed in a deal done by Damarius Bilbo of @KlutchSports. pic.twitter.com/lfICjoHbgS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2026
Meanwhile, the scuttlebutt about the Steelers signing guard/tackle Brock Hoffman may have been premature. There was word that Pittsburgh was signing the former Dallas Cowboys player. Those deals have since been walked back to only a possibility.
More sports
• Steelers, defensive captain Cameron Heyward agree to extension through 2027
• In Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers getting physical receiver who gives off ‘Hines Ward vibes’
• Steelers bring back veteran punter Cameron Johnston
Costly point
The Penguins left a point on the table in Carolina on Wednesday when they lost a shootout. That was good news for the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Islanders picked up a point on the Penguins thanks to a 4-3 overtime win in St. Louis. Mathew Barzal got the game-winner.
COMEBACK = COMPLETE pic.twitter.com/IpQ9NqcBZ3
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 11, 2026
That was Barzal’s 18th. The team had been down 3-0 in the second period.
That means the Isles and Pens are now tied with 79 points, in second place of the Metropolitan Division behind Carolina (88 points).
Columbus also picked up one point on Pittsburgh. The Blue Jackets won 5-2 in Tampa Bay. They now have 76 points and are within three points of pulling into a tie with the Islanders and Penguins for that third divisional playoff spot.
Panthers vs. Pack
After pulling off a first-round upset over Stanford on Tuesday, the Pitt Panthers look to do the same thing at noon Wednesday against N.C. State.
Jeff Capel’s team advanced to the second round of the ACC Tournament with a 64-63 victory over the Cardinal courtesy of Damarco Minor’s last-second tip-in of his own missed shot.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!
CHAOS! EVERYWHERE! Damarco Minor puts it in with 0.4 remaining and (15) Pittsburgh wins over (10) Stanford in the first round of the ACC Tournament pic.twitter.com/vklDi4GyNT
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 10, 2026
Now the Panthers (13-19, 5-13 ACC) get a Wolfpack club that comes in at 19-12 (10-8 ACC). That said, the Pack has limped to the finish line. Will Wade’s club has dropped four in a row (and six of seven) to close out the regular season.
Pitt dropped an 81-72 defeat to N.C. State on Jan. 24 at home. Former Syracuse player Quadir Copeland had 20 points and nine assists to help bury the Panthers.
BetRivers lists Pitt as an 8½-point underdog.