NFL Free Agency: Crosby's Trade Fallout and Daniel Jones' Comeback

The Raiders' bold moves and the Bills' difficult decisions in the 2026 offseason

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:13pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the complex negotiations and decisions involved in NFL free agency, with fragmented geometric shapes and planes representing the various factors and perspectives at play.The intricate web of NFL free agency deals and trades, with teams navigating uncertain futures and making bold decisions to build competitive rosters.Cleveland Today

The story of Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders is a cautionary tale in the world of NFL free agency. After Crosby suffered a torn Achilles tendon, the Raiders were forced to re-evaluate their strategy, leading to a bold decision to commit over a quarter billion dollars on free agents. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills found themselves in a similar predicament, losing key defensive players and their defensive coordinator.

Why it matters

The Raiders' and Bills' decisions in the face of uncertainty highlight the challenges teams face in navigating the complexities of free agency and the draft, as they strive to build competitive rosters for the upcoming season.

The details

The Raiders, led by General Manager John Spytek, had previously stated that they would need to be blown away to trade Crosby. However, when the Baltimore Ravens backed out of their trade agreement for Crosby, the Raiders were left with a difficult decision. They ultimately committed over a quarter billion dollars on free agents after the Crosby deal fell through, allowing them to keep Crosby and proceed as if nothing happened. The Bills, on the other hand, were not prepared for the loss of safety Nick Cross and linebacker Kevin Byard, who found new homes on Wednesday. The team also lost defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who was installing a new system that would impact the entire defense.

  • In December, Maxx Crosby suffered a torn Achilles tendon, threatening his value and the Raiders' strategy.
  • On the sixth anniversary of his sobriety, Crosby was shocked by the way the trade situation unfolded.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A promising pass rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in December, leaving the team in a difficult position.

John Spytek

The General Manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, who had to make tough decisions regarding Crosby's future with the team.

Baltimore Ravens

A team that had previously agreed to a trade for Maxx Crosby, but ultimately backed out of the deal.

Buffalo Bills

A team that found themselves in a similar predicament, losing key defensive players and their defensive coordinator in the offseason.

Nick Cross

A safety who left the Buffalo Bills to find a new home.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Raiders' and Bills' decisions in the face of uncertainty highlight the challenges teams face in navigating the complexities of free agency and the draft, as they strive to build competitive rosters for the upcoming season.