Now, when the Baltimore Ravens walked away from a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby after what they said was a failed physical, the reaction across the NFL was immediate. One leading analyst accused the media of a “public hit job” that should leave Crosby “disgusted,” while Crosby’s camp fired back at reports about his health, turning a collapsed trade into a heated and very public dispute that threatens to overwhelm every other storyline in a busy first week of NFL free agency.
Within 24 hours of reneging on their agreed trade for five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Crosby on Tuesday, the Ravens signed four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year contract worth $112 million. Crosby has four years remaining on his contract for $112.9 million. CBS Sports analyst John Breech did not think that was a coincidence.
“With one shocking move Tuesday night, the team suddenly turned into the sleazy used car salesman nobody trusts,” Breech wrote. “The Ravens didn’t just call off the wedding here: They called it off and then went out and married someone else the next morning.”
Another NFL analyst and former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho, speaking on the Speakeasy podcast, blasted two top NFL reporters for what he called a “public hit job” on Crosby, accusing reporters Adam Schefter of ESPN and Dianna Russini of The Athletic of echoing the Ravens’ claim that they planned to acquire both Crosby and Hendrickson.
“Not only should Maxx feel disgusted by what the Ravens did — because you knew Maxx Crosby’s injury going into the trade, and you also know that Maxx Crosby is ahead of schedule in regard to his rehab — Maxx should feel disgusted by the intentional public hit job by so many reporters,” Acho said on the podcast.
What Did the Ravens Say About the Failed Trade?
In addition to paying Hendrickson essentially the same as they would have owed Crosby, the Ravens were able to preserve the two first-round draft picks they would have sent to Las Vegas in exchange for the seven-year veteran. But speaking on Wednesday, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta told reporters that he felt “gutted” by the failure of the Crosby trade.
“Nobody’s more upset about this than me — gutted by it actually,” DeCosta, as quoted by ESPN.com. “And so a regret, a big regret for me.”
But according to a report by Schefter, DeCosta said that the Ravens “were interested in pairing together Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby. But Crosby’s medical exam put an end to that discussion.”
Russini posted a similar report, writing Wednesday that “the Ravens were also prepared to sign (Crosby) to a revised contract that would have paid him near the top of the pass rusher market.”
Crosby’s agent, CJ LaBoy, responded to Russini’s report, slamming it as “fake news.”
What Else Did Acho Say About the Ravens?
Acho did not reserve his criticism for the media reports on the Ravens’ position, but also blasted the Baltimore organization, calling the deal “dirty.”
“The reason I think it’s dirty by the Ravens, I think it’s intentional,” Acho said on the Speakeasy podcast. “I think the Ravens have looked around and said, wait a second, Trey Hendrickson, you still on the street? Wait a second, we can get you, Trey Hendrickson, for significantly cheaper than Maxx Crosby and keep two first-round picks?”
With the Ravens deal now defunct, rumors have flown around the NFL on other possible trade destinations for Crosby.
Raiders Maxx Crosby Trade Fallout — CBS Sports Analyst Calls Ravens ‘Sleazy’