dre’mont jones enters the conversation as the AFC North balance shifts fast after the Baltimore Ravens swung a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. At 8: 17 p. m. ET, Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase reacted live while playing video games, saying he got a text from quarterback Joe Burrow about the move and launching into an expletive-filled rant. The immediate why is simple: Cincinnati now has to deal with another elite pass rusher in-division, and Chase openly voiced frustration at how the deal impacts his team.
Trade details hit the division, and Chase reacts in real time
Chase said on the livestream that Burrow texted him the news that the Ravens traded for Crosby, and Chase was heard responding with: “Joe just f—ing texted me. Ravens traded for Maxx Crosby, ” followed by a string of expletives and, “I’m f—ing highly pissed right now. Oh my God. ”
The trade price was steep: the Raiders received two first-round picks from the Ravens, including Baltimore’s No. 14 overall selection in next month’s NFL Draft, in exchange for the 28-year-old, five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher. The Ravens, now led by defensive-minded head coach Jesse Minter, signaled urgency to bolster a defense already undergoing change.
Dre’mont Jones and the pressure points this move exposes for Cincinnati
dre’mont jones is not part of the transaction described here, but his name underscores the broader theme Chase was shouting about: pass-rush pressure in a division already loaded with it. Chase explicitly framed Crosby’s arrival as yet another high-end pass rusher entering the AFC North mix, mentioning Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett and Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro T. J. Watt as examples of what offenses already face.
For Cincinnati, Chase’s on-stream anger also pointed at a practical concern: protection. The Bengals “haven’t had the most offensive lines in recent seasons, ” and the numbers attached to Burrow’s hits are stark. Since entering the NFL in 2020 as the first overall pick, Burrow has been sacked 213 times, the fourth-most among active quarterbacks in that timeframe, behind Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson, and Baker Mayfield.
As of 8: 31 p. m. ET, the Bengals’ next challenge is clear in the short term: keep Burrow upright as the division’s edge-rush threats grow more imposing.
Immediate reactions: Crosby addresses Raiders exit, eyes Baltimore mission
On Saturday at 10: 05 a. m. ET, Crosby issued a message in a video posted on social media, stressing gratitude toward Las Vegas and saying he holds “zero ill will” toward the Raiders after the trade. “I wanted everything good for the Raiders, ” Crosby said. “I bleed Silver and Black and that will never change and I’m a Raider for life. ”
Crosby also told Raiders fans they have “every right to be upset” and added he is heading into a new situation in Baltimore without making “grand predictions. ” “I’m going there with one purpose and that’s to help this team to get to where it needs to be… and that’s winning the Super Bowl, ” Crosby said.
What’s next: the league-year clock and Cincinnati’s response
The deal cannot become official until the start of the new league year on March 11. Meanwhile, Cincinnati is staring at a crucial offseason window: the legal tampering period begins Monday, and the Bengals have around $47 million to work with during that period as they consider ways to “shore up” the offensive line through free agency or the NFL Draft.
On the defensive side for Cincinnati, the Bengals are likely moving on from pass rusher Trey Hendrickson after not using the franchise tag on him; he is expected to command a large free-agent deal after playing on a one-year contract last season.
In the AFC North’s latest jolt, dre’mont jones remains a backdrop name as fans track how one trade for Maxx Crosby immediately raises the stakes for protection, roster decisions, and the next wave of moves once the calendar turns to official business.
