Bills Quickly Send Three Draft Picks and One of Their Stars to Trade for Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Immediately After Ravens Back Out of Deal Over Health Risk Concerns

BUFFALO — The NFL offseason rarely slows down long enough for shock to settle. Just hours after the Baltimore Ravens abruptly backed out of their blockbuster deal for Maxx Crosby, the Buffalo Bills reportedly moved swiftly with a bold proposal of their own.

The collapse of Baltimore’s agreement immediately reshaped the trade market. What had been expected to become one of the defining moves of the 2026 offseason suddenly unraveled under the weight of medical uncertainty.

Only days earlier, the Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders had reached a preliminary agreement. Baltimore would acquire Crosby — a five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher and one of the NFL’s most relentless defensive forces — in exchange for two first-round picks.

Report: Maxx Crosby reportedly “couldn’t touch his toes” at the Physical today.

Not good. pic.twitter.com/TvnASvOlWR

— Adam Ferrell (@AdamFerrellNFL) March 11, 2026

One of those selections was believed to be Baltimore’s 2026 first-round pick, No. 14 overall, with another first-rounder scheduled for 2027. Crosby had already traveled to Baltimore as the trade moved toward final approval.

But the final hurdle proved decisive.

During his physical examination, medical concerns surfaced surrounding Crosby’s knee — specifically lingering effects from a meniscus injury that required surgery during the previous season. After reviewing the medical risk, the Ravens ultimately chose to withdraw.

The Raiders confirmed the reversal with a brief statement: “The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby. We’ll have no further comment at this time.”

Maxx Crosby did not pass his physical and is headed back to the Raiders, per @DMRussini

Ravens get their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks back 😳 pic.twitter.com/KzhmYWHLQA

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 11, 2026

Across the league, the failed blockbuster immediately became one of the most stunning developments of the 2026 offseason.

Multiple reports from ESPN, NFL.com, and The Athletic confirmed the decision was driven entirely by medical concerns rather than disagreements about draft compensation or contract structure.

That unexpected opening quickly attracted attention across the league — and Buffalo did not hesitate.

According to league sources, the Bills rapidly assembled a trade proposal built around a balance of draft capital and an established defensive contributor. Their package reportedly includes a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round selection, and defensive end A.J. Epenesa.

Epenesa, 27, has quietly developed into a productive rotational edge defender in Buffalo’s defensive front. His pass-rush efficiency, physical edge play, and manageable contract could give Las Vegas a ready-made starter during a transitional period.

For the Raiders, the structure offers both immediate value and long-term flexibility. Rather than waiting through uncertainty tied to Crosby’s medical evaluation, they would receive a proven edge defender along with premium draft capital to accelerate roster rebuilding.

For Buffalo, the incentive is clear.

Pairing Crosby with Greg Rousseau would immediately elevate the Bills’ pass rush to another tier. Crosby’s relentless motor and elite pressure rate would give Buffalo a dominant edge presence capable of transforming defensive game plans.

The move would also allow Buffalo to retain Rousseau as a young cornerstone while upgrading the overall ceiling of the defensive line.

In a conference where elite quarterbacks dominate every January, consistent pressure remains one of the few ways to tilt playoff games.

For now, Crosby technically remains a Raider.

But in the chaotic hours following Baltimore’s dramatic withdrawal, Buffalo has emerged as one of the teams most aggressively attempting to turn a failed blockbuster into a franchise-defining opportunity.