Let's just say what the Baltimore Ravens will never admit: They look like villains around the NFL community – other teams, front offices, agents, some players – over the last 12 hours after they bailed on the Maxx Crosby trade and then filled the position left vacant with the addition of Trey Hendrickson.
The Ravens spoke with Hendrickson's agent once they decided to bail on the Crosby trade on Tuesday, shortly before theRaiders announced Baltimore's intention not to honor the trade.
Even as Hendrickson's agent was negotiating with multiple teams, most prominently the Indianapolis Colts, it seemed the tone of talks changed because Hendrickson suddenly seemed to feel his negotiating hand just added a trump card.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91), left, and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) celebrate a sack during a Week 16 NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 26, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
Well, the Ravens were the new card. And on Wednesday morning, Hendrickson agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth a reported $112 million.
The deal will not be official until the start of free agency at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and pending a passed physical by Hendrickson.
(We have to say that because it's the Ravens, and they have a reputation now).
That reputation, like it or not, paints the Ravens as a cold and calculating club willing to go back on its word.
That's because the whole Crosby trade scenario is starting to look less like an understandable decision to call off the trade based on an examination of Crosby's surgically repaired knee and more like the Ravens, led by general manager Eric DeCosta, deciding it's better to have Hendrickson and the two first-round picks they had agreed to send to Las Vegas for Crosby.
A classic case of buyer's remorse.
Source: The Latest & Most Breaking News With OutKick
