It took the Ravens long enough.

The Baltimore Ravens have finally addressed their controversial decision to nix the Maxx Crosby trade they had in place with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Last Friday, the Raiders agreed to a blockbuster deal that would send Maxx Crosby to the Ravens for two first-round picks. But on Tuesday night, the Raiders announced that Baltimore had backed out of the trade.

The 28-year-old Crosby failed a physical with the Ravens, prompting the AFC North club to cancel the trade before it could become official on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters today, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta addressed the decision to nix the potential league-altering trade. DeCosta admitted he was “gutted” but cited the need to trust Baltimore’s medical staff, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk:

“We were really excited about adding Maxx, potentially adding Maxx to our team. I had already begun discussions with John Spytek, those discussions continued, we were really thinking that we were getting some traction.

We did. As part of the normal trade process, there were a lot of different parts with the trade process, we’ve done a lot of trades. One of the key things is you bring a player in and try to get as much information as you can. We were not able to complete the process of trading for the player, based on our assessment of the situation.

I’ve got a responsibility to the Ravens. I understand how people from afar would feel that way, but nobody’s more upset about this than me. Gutted by it, actually, a big regret for me.”

It was also reported that rival NFL general managers are furious with the Ravens over the situation. One unnamed GM even called it “bullsh*t” on their end.

The Ravens pivoted to ex-Cincinnati Bengals superstar defensive end Trey Hendrickson, signing him to a four-year deal worth $112 million in free agency. And on the bright side, they also get to keep their two first-round picks.

Raiders Plan To Keep Maxx Crosby Now

Maxx Crosby (Andrew Nelles-Imagn Images)

After all of that drama and front-page news, the Raiders reportedly plan to hold onto Maxx Crosby. Of course, it only takes one can’t-refuse offer for general manager John Spytek to change his mind.

The Dallas Cowboys have been widely linked to Crosby. Jerry Jones has two first-round picks this year. And the Cowboys may just be one piece away from re-emerging as Super Bowl contenders.

Crosby obviously doesn’t mind sticking around with the Raiders; he would have requested a trade by now. In the short term, keeping Crosby helps the Raiders’ chances of becoming a playoff contender with Fernando Mendoza on the way.