A blockbuster NFL trade collapsed at the last minute—and the Ravens’ GM says no one is more devastated than he is.
Baltimore’s attempt to land superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby fell apart after a failed physical, leaving the organization scrambling and its general manager openly emotional.

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Ravens GM Says He’s “Gutted” After Maxx Crosby Trade Collapse

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta admitted Wednesday that he was deeply disappointed after the team backed out of a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby.

The deal, which would have sent two first-round draft picks to the Raiders in exchange for the five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, collapsed after Crosby failed his physical with Baltimore.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the decision, DeCosta did not hide how painful the outcome was.

“Nobody’s more upset about this than me—gutted by it actually,” DeCosta said during a 19-minute media session. “A regret, a big regret for me. But we will move on as a football team.”

A Deal That Shocked the NFL

The trade was initially agreed to last week and would have been one of the biggest moves of the 2026 NFL offseason.

Baltimore was prepared to make a historic investment. The package included two first-round draft picks, something the franchise had never done in its 31-year history to acquire a veteran player.

However, the deal was contingent on Crosby passing a physical exam.

According to league sources, medical concerns raised during the physical ultimately led Baltimore to withdraw from the agreement.

DeCosta declined to discuss the specifics of the medical evaluation.

Instead, he described the decision as the result of the team’s internal assessment.

“Based on our assessment of the situation, we had to make the right decision for the organization,” DeCosta said.

Emotional Reaction From the Ravens GM

The situation clearly weighed heavily on DeCosta.

He revealed there were moments when the trade fallout left him sitting alone in his office, unsure of what would come next.

“There were moments yesterday when I was honestly speechless,” DeCosta said. “Just sitting in my chair trying to figure out the next step and gather as much information as possible.”

DeCosta also emphasized that the decision had nothing to do with second thoughts about Crosby as a player.

In fact, he admitted the star edge rusher is one of his favorites in the entire NFL.

But ultimately, he felt the franchise had to make a difficult business decision.

Ravens Quickly Pivot to Trey Hendrickson

Despite the disappointment, the Ravens moved quickly to address their pass-rushing needs.

Just 13 hours after the Raiders announced the trade collapse, Baltimore reached a deal with veteran defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

Hendrickson signed a four-year, $112 million contract with the Ravens.

Interestingly, DeCosta confirmed that discussions with Hendrickson had already begun before the Crosby deal officially fell apart.

Baltimore’s initial vision was to pair Crosby and Hendrickson as elite edge rushers on opposite sides of the defensive line.

That plan never materialized.

Critics Question the Ravens’ Move

The Ravens’ decision to void the trade sparked debate around the NFL.

Some league observers questioned why Baltimore walked away from Crosby only to immediately spend big money on Hendrickson.

DeCosta pushed back on the criticism, saying people outside the organization do not fully understand the internal decision-making process.

“We live in an age of skepticism,” he said. “People question things—especially people that don’t really know me or know the Ravens culture.”

Despite the controversy, DeCosta said the move hasn’t hurt the team’s reputation across the league.

“It hasn’t stopped my phone from ringing,” he added.

Bigger Decisions Still Ahead in Baltimore

The Ravens’ offseason is far from over.

The team recently restructured quarterback Lamar Jackson’s contract, creating nearly $40 million in salary cap space.

Baltimore hopes to use that flexibility to negotiate a long-term extension with the two-time MVP.

Without a new deal, Jackson could become a free agent after the 2027 season.

“I’m certainly hopeful we’ll get an extension done,” DeCosta said. “It’s important to both sides.”

What Happens Next for Maxx Crosby?

Meanwhile, Crosby has returned to Las Vegas, where he continues rehabbing from knee surgery.

The Raiders have reportedly received multiple trade inquiries, though they are still seeking a hefty return if they decide to move him again.

For now, Crosby remains a Raider—and the Ravens must move forward without the star pass rusher they nearly acquired.

But based on DeCosta’s emotional reaction, it’s clear the decision still stings.