Ravens GM Eric DeCosta Reflects on Regret After Pulling Out of Maxx Crosby Trade
In a press conference less than 24 hours after the Baltimore Ravens withdrew from a trade agreement with the Las Vegas Raiders for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, General Manager Eric DeCosta expressed his disappointment. He stated he was "gutted" by the decision to cancel the deal, which involved two first-round picks. DeCosta elaborated on the situation, saying, "We were really excited about adding Maxx... We did have a lot of discussions with John Spytek and felt we were gaining traction. However, complications arose during Crosby's physical exam, which revealed issues that made the Ravens uncomfortable proceeding with the trade. Crosby underwent surgery on his left knee in January and was still in recovery. The Ravens medical staff encountered difficulties in assessing his rehabilitation, leading to the decision to back out. This rapid change of heart coincided with the Ravens signing former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal, prompting speculation of buyer's remorse regarding the Crosby trade. The NFL community reacted strongly to the Ravens' decision, with a general manager labeling it "bullshit" and questioning the trustworthiness of the Ravens in future negotiations. DeCosta acknowledged the backlash, stating, "I've got a responsibility to the Ravens... nobody's more upset about this than me." Despite the setback, DeCosta confirmed interest in pairing Crosby and Hendrickson after losing center Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders. He reiterated the difficulty of the decision, reflecting on the emotional toll it took on him. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Crosby's surgeon, later reassured that the player was progressing well in his recovery, highlighting the challenges faced by the Ravens in making their assessment.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-03-11