Baltimore Ravens promote Eric DeCosta to assistant GM

The Baltimore Ravens have promoted Eric DeCosta to assistant general manager, the Baltimore Sun reported.

The 41-year-old DeCosta has previously been identified by Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti as the heir apparent to current general manager Ozzie Newsome. DeCosta has been with the Ravens since 1996, and spent the previous three years as the team's director of player personnel.

"When we extended Eric's contract earlier this year, we changed his title to assistant GM," Newsome said Thursday. "As Eric continues to grow in the personnel department, he is becoming a vital part of the decision-making process."

According to the Sun, DeCosta had drawn interest from the Oakland Raiders and the Chicago Bears when those teams recently had general manager openings.