With the Baltimore Ravens taking a lot of heat for the collapse of a trade for Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders, general manager Eric DeCosta met with reporters on Wednesday.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta Discusses Maxx Crosby Trade
Jeff Zrebiec, who covers the Ravens for The Athletic-Baltimore, posted on X DeCosta’s first comments in which he directs comments toward Raiders owner Mark Davis and the Raiders’ organization.
Zrebiec wrote, “DeCosta: ‘I got a lot of respect for Mark Davis, John Spytek, the Raiders. It’s devastating for me to have that conversation. It’s also very, very hard for the player.'”
DeCosta: “I got a lot of respect for Mark Davis John Spytek, the Raiders. It’s devastating for me to have that conversation. It’s also very, very hard for the player.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 11, 2026
Zrebiec added more context around the Crosby situation from DeCosta’s press conference: “DeCosta: ‘Nobody is more upset by this than me. I’m gutted by it.’ However, he said that he has a responsibility to the team to act in its best interests.”
DeCosta: “Nobody is more upset by this than me. I’m gutted by it.”
However, he said that he has a responsibility to the team to act in its best interests.— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 11, 2026
Zrebiec added additional comments from DeCosta in another post on X. “DeCosta said that after bringing Crosby in, they were unable to complete the process of the trade,” Zrebiec wrote. “Didn’t bring up Medicals. Just said he’s a steward of the organization as he has to act with the organization’s best interest in mind.”
DeCosta said that after bringing Crosby in, they were unable to complete the process of the trade. Didn’t bring up Medicals. Just said he’s a steward of the organization as he has to act with organizations best interest in mind.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 11, 2026
DeCosta also intimated in the press conference that his phone is still ringing despite the Crosby trade falling apart. Zrebiec posted on X, “DeCosta said the scuttled Crosby deal ‘hasn’t stopped my phone from ringing.’ He said the team has good relationship with agents and GMs”.
Awful Announcing’s account on X posted a video of DeCosta answering questions about the situation.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta on backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade with the Raiders:
“We live in that age of skepticism, and people question… I understand how people, maybe from afar, would feel that way. But nobody is more upset about this than me. Gutted by it, actually.” #NFL pic.twitter.com/yyxQLs9TMP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 11, 2026
Jamison Hensley, an ESPN Ravens reporter, added context around the Ravens having discussions with free agent Trey Hendrickson.
On Wednesday, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported in a post on X, “Ravens and Trey Hendrickson reached agreement on a four-year, $112 million contract. Hendrickson stays in the AFC North, and now will be facing Joe Burrow and the Bengals twice a season.”
Hensley posted on X, “Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said he started talks with Trey Hendrickson after losing center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. DeCosta was looking to add Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby before the trade with Crosby was nullified.”
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said he started talks with Trey Hendrickson after losing center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. DeCosta was looking to add Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby before the trade with Crosby was nullified.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) March 11, 2026
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport was also watching DeCosta’s press conference and posted on X, “Interesting to note: Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said the team was attempting to sign Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson.”
“I understand how people would feel that way (about conspiracies),” DeCosta said about the decision on Crosby, “But I have a responsibility to the Ravens.”
According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, the Ravens had the 18th-ranked defense in the league last season. They will now hope Hendrickson can transform their defense into at least a top-10 unit in the league during the upcoming season.
As for Crosby, media reports on Wednesday morning indicated that the five-time Pro Bowler was back in the Raiders’ facility doing rehab work.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
