Ravens Chose Between Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson Based on Salary Demands, Says Former Champion

The Baltimore Ravens revealed they wanted to sign both pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson this offseason.

Ravens Chose Between Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson Based on Salary Demands, Says Former Champion

Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson (Image via Evan Sidery/X)

In Short
  • The Baltimore Ravens canceled a trade for Maxx Crosby after he failed a physical due to a knee injury.
  • The team opted to sign Trey Hendrickson instead, as his salary demands decreased to $30 million.
  • Aqib Talib described the Ravens' decision as a calculated business move to benefit the team's overall needs.

For a while, the Baltimore Ravens believed that they were close to landing Maxx Crosby via trade and signing fellow veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson off the free agent market.

Had the idea come to fruition, the AFC powerhouse would have vaulted itself to become the unanimous Super Bowl favorites. After all, there is no stopping that defense headed by those two experienced sack artists.

Then, with Lamar Jackson and the offense presumably resuming their electric ways, opposing teams would have a hard time stopping the team as a whole.

Unfortunately, only one part of that dream came true after the Ravens canceled their trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, after Crosby failed a physical.

But the 28-year-old was already recovering from a knee injury. That is why many wondered if the ‘failed physical’ was the sole reason for the Ravens to get cold feet.

Trey Hendrickson sees Danielle Hunter get $40 million, ok, ‘My number is $40 million.’… The Ravens don’t like the $40 million number. So, they trade for Crosby… Then, Hendrickson, nobody is willing to pay that 40, that number comes down. Now word is spreading that Hendrickson’s number is 30… They can get Hendrickson for 30, and keep their first-round picks, they rescind the trade.

Aqib Talib said on The Arena: Gridiron

The Super Bowl 50 champion labeled this as a ‘great business move,’ and said that there are no feelings in football. Aqib Talib reiterated that over those few days, the Ravens received enough time to go through every possibility and team need before making the decision.

Aqib Talib believes Ravens pivoted from Maxx Crosby with the team’s interest in mind

While talking about this situation, Aqib Talib reiterated that this was a calculated move from the Baltimore Ravens. Even though they faced backlash for it, they had good reasons to do so.

Ravens unveiled Trey Hendrickson
Ravens unveiled Trey Hendrickson (Image via Baltimore Ravens/X)

That number (salary) came down. They got one of the guys who they wanted… Now they can get an O-lineman with that 14th pick… They did what was best for the team.

Aqib Talib said

When he finished his soliloquy, The Arena co-analyst Skip Bayless asked if Aqib Talib was implying that the Baltimore Ravens intentionally failed Maxx Crosby in his physical.

Anybody can pass you on a physical when you are coming off a meniscus repair, or they can fail you on a physical. They can do whatever they want.

Aqib Talib replied

The former cornerback reiterated that since the Ravens signed Trey Hendrickson half a day after rescinding Maxx Crosby‘s trade, it is a dead giveaway that they had the contract for the former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher ‘up their sleeve.’

The 40-year-old made it clear that just because a player is coming off surgery, it does not mean he would fail a physical. Most of the time, it is up to the team to decide.

Trey Hendrickson would have been excited to team up with Maxx Crosby

Rumors and opinions will continue to form over the course of this offseason, or at least until Maxx Crosby is traded to another team. For now, Ravens fans and the media are left wondering what would have happened if the Raiders star were teammates with Trey Hendrickson.

What a phenomenal opportunity that would have been. Um, nothing but respect for him and the way he carries himself on and off the field.

Trey Hendrickson said

This was the 31-year-old‘s response when asked about almost becoming teammates with Crosby. From his reaction, it is evident that he would have been excited.

At the same time, he switched swiftly to praise how good a defense the Ravens already have, knowing it is they he will be playing with over the next few seasons.

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