NFL GMs share new surprising takes about Ravens pivoting from Maxx Crosby to Trey Hendrickson

General managers and other NFL executives previously criticized the Baltimore Ravens for the way the Ravens pivoted from potentially trading for Las Vegas Raiders defensive star Maxx Crosby to signing Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson back in March.

The Ravens had agreed to send two first-round draft picks to Vegas for Crosby, but Baltimore backed out of the deal before the trade could become official due to concerns related to the meniscus repair he needed in January. Shortly after that saga played out, it was learned that Baltimore and Hendrickson had agreed to a four-year, $112M contract that included $60M in fully guaranteed money and could be worth up to $120M. 

One theory shared by members of the NFL community is that the Ravens always viewed trading for Crosby as a plan B that would only be explored if Hendrickson signed with a different club. For a piece published on Thursday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of Sports Illustrated spoke with multiple general managers who praised the Ravens for addressing a clear need without giving up valuable draft assets.

Will signing Trey Hendrickson be better for Ravens than trading for Maxx Crosby?

"I love the Hendrickson signing for them," one executive said about the Ravens. "They are a much better team with him. They needed a proven edge-rusher more than anything else. At that price, it’s a great deal for Baltimore …  The Crosby trade was an overpay, in my opinion. This is more who they are. They never want to trade ones (first-round picks)." 

Hendrickson played in just seven games this past season before he needed core surgery in December. That said, the 31-year-old tallied the most regular-season sacks (35) from the start of the 2023 campaign through Week 18 of the 2024 season. Obviously, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is confident Hendrickson can both stay healthy and reclaim his best form with Baltimore. 

Acquiring Maxx Crosby would have been good for Ravens, but...

"Crosby is in a different tier than Hendrickson as a three-down force, but Hendrickson is an elite pass-rusher," a different general manager told La Canfora.

One may never truly know if DeCosta seriously wanted to land both Hendrickson and Crosby in March. Nevertheless, some of Baltimore's competitors seem to believe the AFC North side could emerge as a winner of the offseason if Hendrickson returns to what he was only a couple of years ago.