Skip to content

Ravens GM 'gutted' by failed Maxx Crosby trade

Ian Maule / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the team's decision to back out of a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, saying he isn't happy with how things turned out.

"Nobody is more upset about this than me," DeCosta said Wednesday. "Gutted by it, actually. A big regret for me. But we will move on as a football team."

"We were really excited about potentially adding Maxx to our team," he added.

The Raiders agreed to trade Crosby to the Ravens on March 6 in exchange for a pair of first-round picks. However, the deal fell through Tuesday after Crosby, who underwent knee surgery in January, reportedly failed his physical.

"I've got a responsibility to the Ravens, to this community, to our fans, and to (team owner) Steve Bisciotti to do what we think is best for the club. And that's what we always try to do," DeCosta said.

DeCosta and the Ravens signed free-agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112-million contract Wednesday, acting quickly in finding an alternative to the aborted Crosby trade.

But DeCosta revealed Baltimore's initial plan was to team Crosby with Hendrickson. He said abandoning the trade was unrelated to how the free agent's market was unfolding.

"I got a lot of respect for (Raiders owner) Mark Davis, the Raiders, (general manager) John Spytek," DeCosta said. "... It's devastating for me to have that conversation, I'm sure challenging for them to hear as well. It's also very, very, very, very hard for the player to hear that."

Backing out of the Crosby trade hasn't impacted the Ravens' relationship with other teams, players, and agents, according to DeCosta.

"Well, it hasn't stopped my phone from ringing," he said.

It's unclear what's next for Crosby, but the Raiders have already received calls from several teams inquiring about the availability of the five-time Pro Bowler, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox