On Friday, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti told reporters that Ozzie Newsome will step down as GM next year and Eric DeCosta will take over for him, per Jeff Zrebiec.
Bisciotti said that once Newsome steps down, he’ll remain with the team in a consultant role.
“He’ll be the highest paid scout in the league,” Bisciotti said.
The Ravens have had a clear succession plan in place with DeCosta, who has turned down several GM opportunities over the years to remain in Baltimore.
Regarding DeCosta Bisciotti said. “Everything. I think he has learned from Ozzie. I think he is a great leader of scouts. I like working with him. It’s time.”
The Packers showed interest in DeCosta this offseason, but Bisciotti said they had been planning for this move to happen for the past four years.
“Ozzie’s decision was made four years ago,” Bisciotti said, per Zrebiec “Eric knew it. He just wanted to make sure that the deal was still there when the Packers called.”
Newsome, 61, is a former first-round pick of the Browns back in 1978. He played 13 seasons in Cleveland and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. Newsome began working with the Browns as an executive in 1991 and spent five years in Cleveland before becoming the Ravens’ GM in 1996.
During his 22 years in charge of the Ravens, Newsome has led them to a record of 195-172-1, which includes 10 playoff appearances and two Super Bowl championships.
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