BALTIMORE — Just days after he fired his close friend and coach of 18 seasons, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti reaffirmed his trust in another longtime partner, general manager Eric DeCosta.

The vote of confidence was understandable given DeCosta’s overall success as the franchise’s top football executive following his predecessor, Ozzie Newsome. But like outgoing coach John Harbaugh, DeCosta endured a miserable 2025 season.

If the Ravens’ front office were handed a report card for last year, the general manager probably would’ve received an “F.”

Among the lowlights: Nearly every position group regressed during a season that ended with an 8-9 record and the worst home mark in franchise history. A roster once touted as one of the best in the NFL was quickly exposed. DeCosta’s offseason missteps, like signing backup quarterback Cooper Rush, became glaring once Lamar Jackson went down with an injury, and the Ravens neglected to reinforce several weaknesses before the trade deadline.

Despite those failures, DeCosta retained the important backing of his boss.

“The hits and misses in this business, I think you have to average them out,” Bisciotti said earlier this year. “I think Eric is one of the best GMs in the league, and so I think he’s batting .800. I’m just making up a number for you — but I’m not going to look at Eric’s 200 whiffs. I’ll look at his 800 singles and doubles and home runs. To me, that’s fair.”

Late Friday night, DeCosta stepped into the batter’s box and delivered the biggest swing of all.

The Ravens stunned the league by acquiring star edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders in the most significant trade in franchise history, in which Baltimore parted ways with two first-round picks. Yes, two first-rounders are departing Baltimore, an organization that has historically preferred to build and develop through the draft.

Crosby arrives as a five-time Pro Bowl selection who leads the league with 360 quarterback pressures since entering the NFL in 2019.

The steep price reflected the magnitude of the moment.

To outbid several interested teams, including the pass-rush-needy Dallas Cowboys, the Ravens traded a first-round pick for the first time in franchise history. The move represented a stunning departure from longtime structure, a clear signal that last season’s failures, paired with Harbaugh’s departure, were alarming signs for DeCosta. It could very well end up being what Bisciotti described as a “home run,” if Crosby arrives as advertised.

When news of the trade broke late Friday evening, my colleague Matt Weyrich and I were sitting inside a packed bar in Sarasota, Fla., the spring training home of the Orioles. Within minutes, word spread rapidly across the room filled with Baltimore sports fans.

The reactions ranged from disbelief to pure elation.

“There’s no way that’s real, DeCosta would never!” one nearby Howard County native shouted.

Traditionally, that fan’s instinct might be accurate. But this is now a whacky and different type of offseason. It sure feels like that for DeCosta and company.

The Ravens finished the 2025 campaign with just 30 sacks, the third-fewest in the NFL. Meanwhile, Crosby recorded 10 sacks and two forced fumbles despite missing the final two games. He has also produced 17 multi-sack performances in his career, building a reputation as one of the league’s most relentless defenders.

Crosby arrives at a pretty ideal time for first-year coach Jesse Minter, who probably went to bed salivating at the idea of featuring Crosby and fellow star safety Kyle Hamilton in his defense.

Looking ahead, there is still plenty of work to accomplish and hurdles to maneuver around for DeCosta and the Ravens. The NFL’s legal tampering period begins Monday, and Baltimore must address several other roster holes and Jackson’s looming cap hit if it hopes to return to playoff contention.

But there’s little doubt that this move sends a clear message about the urgency at the top of the organization.

Bisciotti might insist that DeCosta remains firmly in his good graces. The franchise’s owner has publicly emphasized patience and perspective when evaluating his general manager.

But the stakes are high, and DeCosta is operating like his seat is warm, just like how Harbaugh’s seat evolved throughout his forgettable final season in Baltimore.

By trading for Crosby, DeCosta made it clear that his urgency is higher than it’s ever been and that he has little intention of being the next one shown the door.

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