Ravens' DeCosta 'gutted' that Maxx Crosby trade fell through - ESPN

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Talking for the first time since backing out of the trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for five-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta struck a somber tone Wednesday over the decision to not complete the deal and pushed back on the narrative that he had buyer's remorse.

«I understand how people might maybe from afar would feel that way, but nobody's more upset about this than me — gutted by it actually,» DeCosta said during his 19-minute media session. «And so a regret, a big regret for me, but we will move on as a football team.»

DeCosta got emotional at times in explaining it was a difficult but necessary decision, pointing out that Crosby is one of his favorite players in the NFL but he had to do what was best for the organization. He veered away from mentioning any medical concerns with Crosby and said the trade was nullified «based on our assessment of the situation.» League sources told ESPN the Ravens had medical concerns that arose during Crosby's physical.

The Ravens were within their rights to move on from the deal because trades are contingent on players passing a physical. But Baltimore has drawn criticism among league circles because the team voided the trade with Crosby, which included sending two first-round draft picks to the Raiders, and quickly pivoted to a deal for Pro Bowl pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson that didn't require giving up any draft capital.

«I understand it,» DeCosta said. «We live in that age of skepticism and people question, especially people that don't really know me or know the Ravens culture and the Ravens organization.»

In looking back at how the process transpired, DeCosta said he doesn't believe there is anything he