The Baltimore Ravens recently made waves with their decision to step back from a trade for the Las Vegas Raiders' star defensive end, Maxx Crosby, just before free agency kicked off. Instead, they turned their attention to signing Trey Hendrickson, a move that sparked plenty of chatter in the NFL community.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta shared some insights, revealing that the team had been in discussions with both Crosby and Hendrickson. "We had already agreed to potentially trade with the Raiders," DeCosta explained.
"But looking at how we could best improve our team, Hendrickson seemed like a great fit. We've faced him enough times to know his impact."
On March 11, the Ravens locked in Hendrickson with a four-year, $112 million contract, $60 million of which is guaranteed. This came just a day after pulling back from the Crosby trade.
Some critics have called out DeCosta for seemingly treating Hendrickson as a fallback option. However, Hendrickson himself seemed unfazed by the narrative during an appearance on "The Set" podcast with Terron Armstead. He expressed excitement about the potential of teaming up with Crosby, describing it as an "incredible opportunity."
Despite the enticing prospect of pairing Hendrickson with Crosby, the financials told a different story. According to Over the Cap, the Ravens are projected to be over $12 million in the red for 2027. Balancing both contracts would have been a significant challenge, even for the most seasoned cap experts.
Ultimately, the Ravens' decision to back out after a failed physical left them with Hendrickson as their key defensive acquisition. It's a strategic move that could reshape their defensive line, even if it means Crosby won't be joining the squad.