General Manager Eric DeCosta said he was "gutted" that the Ravens' trade for Maxx Crosby fell through, but he was obligated to do what was best for the franchise.
The Ravens, according to multiple reports, informed the Las Vegas Raiders that they could not proceed with the trade after reviewing the results of Crosby's physical. Crosby had January surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, and all NFL trades are contingent on players involved passing a physical.
DeCosta did not go into the specifics of Crosby's physical, but he made it clear that he was deeply disappointed that the trade was not finalized.
"We were really excited about potentially adding Maxx," DeCosta said. "Nobody is more disappointed than me, [he's] a player I greatly admire.
"I know our fans are upset and devastated, I understand that. Tough, tough situation. But I think for the Ravens, the right situation. My role as GM, and Jesse [Minter's] role as head coach, and Sashi [Brown's] role as president, stewards of the organization, we have to make tough calls, and this was certainly a tough call to make."
The Ravens moved quickly after the Crosby deal and reportedly reached an agreement with defensive end Trey Hendrickson on Wednesday. However, DeCosta said the Ravens wanted to sign both Crosby and Hendrickson after Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum reached an agreement with the Las Vegas Raiders.
DeCosta expressed his respect for the Raiders' organization and acknowledged that the Crosby deal falling through was shocking to everyone involved.
"It's devastating for me to have that conversation," DeCosta said. "I'm sure it was challenging for them to hear as well. It's also very, very, very, very hard for the player to hear that. It's probably hardest for [Maxx Crosby], more than anybody else."
The Lounge #895: Breaking Down Eric DeCosta's Insights on Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson And More Ravens Additions
Team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing share their takeaways from a wild 24 hours for the Ravens, including takeaways from Eric DeCosta's press conference shedding light on the Maxx Crosby trade falling through, the Trey Hendrickson addition, and other Ravens free agent losses. Plus, we break down three more reported free agent additions on Wednesday afternoon.
DeCosta denied that the Ravens backed out of the Crosby deal because they got cold feet, as some media reports have claimed.
"I understand it," DeCosta said. "We live in that age of skepticism, and people question things, especially people that don't really know me or know the Ravens culture and the Ravens organization.
"As I said at the beginning, we've got a responsibility – I've got a responsibility – to the Ravens, to this community, to our fans and to [Owner] Steve Bisciotti to do what we think is best for the club. Nobody is more upset about this than me. I am gutted by it, actually… But, we will move on as a football team."
DeCosta pushed back against the idea that the Crosby deal will make some teams reluctant to conduct business with Baltimore, mentioning the strong reputation the Ravens have built around the league for decades.
"It hasn't stopped my phone from ringing, I'll tell you that," DeCosta said. "I think our relationship with agents and with other teams is really, really good. I think that GMs understand the importance of getting as much information as possible before making decisions.
"Everybody that works with agents would say that we're a class organization that does business the right way, [are] respectful and willing to get deals done."
DeCosta has been with the Ravens' organization since its inception, but indicated he had never experienced a situation exactly like this. The Ravens had agreed to surrender two first-round picks for Crosby, and teams around the league were making transactions for several days, thinking Crosby would be with the Ravens. The fallout from the deal had leaguewide ramifications.
"There were moments yesterday when, honestly, I was probably speechless, just sitting in my chair in my office and just thinking about what the next step would be and trying to get as much information as possible," DeCosta said. "We've dealt with these kinds of things in the past, but probably never at such a large figure, so [it's] challenging."
DeCosta said it became clear that with the information he had, the deal could not be salvaged in the best interest of the Ravens.
"You get to the point where when you look at the situation, you have to make the right decision," DeCosta said. "When you're a steward of the organization, and you're put in that position, you have to make the tough call."
