While Las Vegas Raiders fans are rejoicing Maxx Crosby ended up back home with their team, the Baltimore Ravens might end up regretting their highly-scrutinized decision.
The debacle surrounding Crosby, the Raiders, and the Ravens will one day make for an interesting documentary. While it certainly received a lot of coverage this offseason, the fact is, we don’t know what the long-term ramifications will be for all parties involved.
For Crosby, Raiders fans and the organization itself are praying that his knee is back to being close to 100 percent. Age, degenerative issues, plus wear and tear have taken their toll. You would think that the game plan surrounding his usage will evolve this season. The Raiders also missed out on having extra first round selections that surely would’ve helped the team stockpile some serious talent.
Still, none of those players would’ve given you the same impact that a healthy Crosby can.
For the Ravens, it’s a little more complex.
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By complex, we’re referring to the damage done to their reputation in league circles. It simply wasn’t a good look by Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta. Deciding to change his mind at the midnight hour gave off an amateur look. Crosby was already in the facilities when the fallout exploded. Imagine the sheer embarrassment? It’s possible that the Raiders also had to scrap their draft plans once the incoming draft capital was taken off the table by Baltimore.
In the grand scheme of things, the Ravens also lost Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders, who will now be an offensive cornerstone for the next decade. They also lost Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. No matter how you spin it, the Ravens hurt themselves as far as image goes. Free agents will look at them with weary eyes after doing Crosby dirty in the manner they did.
While Trey Hendrickson’s timely arrival to the Ravens raises questions, it no doubt played a part. The Ravens were able to land a heralded pass rusher without giving up anything close to what they would’ve done for Crosby.
Lost in all the sauce, there’s something else we have to account for. The Raiders now have a pi**** off Maxx Crosby looking to prove everyone wrong, especially the Ravens. Maybe DeCosta gave the Raiders their biggest “addition” this offseason without realizing it.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustrations/Getty Images