Ravens GM 'Gutted' After Nixing Maxx Crosby Trade

Baltimore was trying to add both Crosby and Trey Hendrickson, but the deal fell through after reviewing Crosby's medicals.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta expressed his disappointment and regret over the team's decision to back out of a trade for All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby. DeCosta said the team was actually trying to sign both Crosby and Trey Hendrickson in an aggressive move to bolster their pass rush, but the Crosby trade fell through after reviewing his medical information. The Ravens ended up signing Hendrickson to a 4-year, $112 million deal instead.

Why it matters

The Ravens have struggled to find reliable pass rushers since the retirement of Terrell Suggs, and adding both Crosby and Hendrickson would have immediately given them one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL. The decision to back out of the Crosby trade has drawn criticism from fans and media, with some speculating the team prioritized saving draft picks over improving the roster.

The details

According to DeCosta, the Ravens were in the process of acquiring Crosby via trade, but had to back out after reviewing his medical information as part of the normal trade process. DeCosta said he was 'gutted' by the decision, calling Crosby one of his 'favorite players in the entire NFL.' A day after the Crosby trade fell through, the Ravens signed former Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a 4-year, $112 million deal.

  • On March 10, 2026, the Ravens reportedly agreed to a trade for Maxx Crosby.
  • On March 11, 2026, the Ravens backed out of the Crosby trade after reviewing his medical information.
  • Also on March 11, 2026, the Ravens signed Trey Hendrickson to a 4-year, $112 million contract.

The players

Eric DeCosta

The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens.

Maxx Crosby

An All-Pro pass rusher who the Ravens were trying to acquire via trade.

Trey Hendrickson

A pass rusher who the Ravens signed to a 4-year, $112 million contract after the Crosby trade fell through.

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What they’re saying

“Very very, disappointing to me, nobody more disappointed than me. A player I greatly admire, one of my favorite players in the entire NFL. I know our fans are upset, devastated. I understand that. Tough, tough situation, but for the Ravens, the right situation, My role as GM and [Jess Minter's] role as head coach and [Sashi Brown's] role as president, stewards of the organization and we have to make tough calls. This was certainly a tough call to make.”

— Eric DeCosta, General Manager, Baltimore Ravens (yahoo.com)

“I understand it. We live in that age of skepticism and people question — and especially people who don't really know me or the Ravens' culture and the Ravens organization … I understand how people, maybe from afar, would feel that way, but nobody is more upset about this than me. Gutted by it, actually. A big regret for me, but we will move on as a football team.”

— Eric DeCosta, General Manager, Baltimore Ravens (yahoo.com)

What’s next

The Ravens will look to move forward with their new pass-rushing duo of Trey Hendrickson and the players already on their roster, as they aim to improve their defense and make a playoff push in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the difficult decisions NFL general managers must make, balancing the desire to improve their team with the need to thoroughly evaluate player health and fit. The Ravens' failed pursuit of Maxx Crosby, despite their interest in pairing him with Trey Hendrickson, shows that even the best-laid plans can fall through when medical concerns arise.