The Baltimore Ravens have come under intense scrutiny from both media members and fans for backing out of a trade that would have sent star Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore in exchange for two firsts, citing concerns with Crosby’s physical.
Eyebrows were raised when, the day after the news broke, the Ravens signed former Cincinnati Bengals standout Trey Hendrickson. Speculation arose that the Ravens felt that Hendrickson made more sense than losing two firsts for Crosby, and that their “concerns” were just a way to get out of the trade and preserve draft capital.
Now, per one of the league’s most prominent insiders, Ravens general manager Eric Decosta is addressing the rumors and revealing what his true intentions were surrounding the Crosby deal.
“Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said the team was attempting to sign Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson,” [reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.](https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2031839910634643730?s=20)
“‘I understand how people would feel that way (about conspiracies). But I have a responsibility to the Ravens,” DeCosa said, via Rapoport.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“DeCosta admitting they wanted both is the most honest thing said in this entire saga. Baltimore was not running a scheme, they were just good enough to have two plans running at the same time and disciplined enough to execute the one that survived,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“That would’ve been a terrifying pass rush,” someone else added.
“There’s absolutely no shot in hell the Ravens were going to play $60M for 2 pass rushers lmao they are so desperate to look like they aren’t complete scumbags,” another fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Raiders respond to DeCosta’s revelation.