It’s been quite an opening to NFL free agency for the Baltimore Ravens.

After parting ways with John Harbaugh and bringing in a new voice early in the offseason, with Jesse Minter taking over, the Ravens quickly made something clear: they wanted a star-level defensive upgrade. But they wound up finding a different answer to that issue than initially anticipated.

Baltimore agreed to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, planning to send out two first-round picks in the proposed deal that, for over a day, appeared to bring massive change to both franchises. That is, until the Ravens backed out of the deal due to a reported failed physical for Crosby, sending the NFL world into a frenzy.

It wasn’t long before Baltimore pivoted on the pass-rusher market, inking former Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson to a massive deal — which now leaves Crosby in Las Vegas facing an uncertain future, while the Ravens still managed to grab a star defender.

On Wednesday evening, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is set to meet with the media, expected to address both the failed Crosby trade and pivot to Hendrickson. There will certainly be eyes around the entire league interested in DeCosta’s reasoning for backing out of his blockbuster trade — not only will it provide context into why the Ravens would create such a hassle out of the agreed-to deal, but it could also dictate what happens to Crosby now that he remains a Raider.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates from DeCosta’s press conference on Wednesday. Follow along below for the latest on the Ravens general manager’s insights into the start of NFL free agency.

MORE NFL FREE AGENCY: Live tracker | Team grades | Best players available

Ravens press conference live updates

(All times Eastern). 

5:19 p.m. — DeCosta said he wouldn’t change anything about how the Ravens handled the Crosby situation, and he did not try to renegotiate with the Raiders.

“I’m really proud of the team, and the doctors, and the guys that work with me. This is a tough thing that we have to deal with in this business. I don’t really know what we could do differently than what we did,” he said. “There were moments yesterday when honestly, I was probably speechless, just sitting in my chair in my office thinking about what the next step would be.”

“It just didn’t work out.”

5:16 p.m. — DeCosta reflected some regret and negative feelings about how the Crosby situation played out:

5:13 p.m. —“I’ve got a responsibility to the Ravens, to this community, to the fans and to Steve Bisciotti to do what we think is best for the club,” DeCosta said. “And that’s what we try to do. Every decision we make is based on this idea, is this what’s best for the Ravens?”

5:11 p.m. — “Nobody’s more upset about this than me. Gutted by it, actually. Big regret for me. But we will move on as a football team,” DeCosta said of the failed Crosby trade.

5:10 p.m. — After Tyler Linderbaum left for Las Vegas, DeCosta said the Ravens plan to bring in additional offensive line help soon.

5:09 p.m. — DeCosta shut down any ideas that there were any conspiracies behind the Ravens agreeing to the Crosby deal, watching Linderbaum sign with the Raiders, then backing out for Trey Hendrickson instead.

5:06 p.m. — Bringing in both Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson was a possibility the Ravens discussed, according to DeCosta.

Conversations with Hendrickson started after Linderbaum’s departure.

“We were trying to sign Tyler. Just didn’t get it done,” DeCosta said, per Jeff Zrebiec.

5:03 p.m. — DeCosta said the Ravens were “not able to complete the process of acquiring the player based on our assessment of the situation,” which he said he found disappointing, as he considers Crosby is one of his “favorite players.”

“Nobody more disappointed than me,” DeCosta said. “I know our fans are upset, devastated, I understand that. Tough, tough situation. But I think for the Ravens, the right situation.”

5:01 p.m. — DeCosta opens his press conference by saying that the Ravens “were really excited about essentially adding Maxx (Crosby) to our team.”

MORE MAXX CROSBY NEWS: 

When is Eric DeCosta’s Ravens press conference?

  • Date: Wednesday, March 11
  • Time: 5 p.m. ET

Ravens reporters Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner and Sam Cohn of the Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday that, as announced by the Ravens, DeCosta would be available to meet with reporters at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.

DeCosta is reportedly planning to “discuss the start of free agency.”

How to watch Ravens press conference today

NFL Network has coverage of DeCosta’s press conference, airing it on their channel. 

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