Don't look now, but the Dallas Cowboys are moving seriously in the big 2026.
It's admittedly hard to be optimistic after learning that Dallas missed out on one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens traded for Maxx Crosby on Friday night, meeting the Las Vegas Raiders' initial asking price of two first-round picks.
It was reported that the Cowboys would not send two firsts for Crosby, and they stuck to their guns. But how much did they offer? According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, they were willing to part with a first- and second-round pick for the five-time Pro Bowler.
That's a highly competitive offer.
The Cowboys were willing to offer a first- and second-round pick to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby but, logically and understandably, Las Vegas opted for the two first-round picks from the Ravens. https://t.co/v6z4Uum1Lh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys reportedly offered a first- and second-round pick for Maxx Crosby
As of this writing, Dallas was the only other suitor mentioned.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed they were a finalist, reporting that "the Cowboys and a few other teams were in it to the end." The Ravens offered two firsts, and that was all she wrote.
As easy as it is to rag on Jerry Jones for coming up short in trades, you won't catch us pointing the finger at the 83-year-old. From a team-building and asset management standpoint, Jones could not have justified surrendering two ones for Crosby.
It sure sounds like Dallas made the second-best offer. There is little room for moral victories in the NFL, but Cowboys fans need to take the wins where they can get them. Being a serious player for Crosby is an encouraging sign for what could come this offseason.
This isn't said often, but the Cowboys showed great process from start to finish. They took an aggressive, but measured approach, having the restraint to stay rooted in reality.
They nearly landed a great player, but they still have three first-round picks over the next two years and will have plenty of money to throw around when free agency begins next week.
The most important takeaway is that Jerry and Stephen Jones backed up their words. Imagine if, after all the reports confirming the Cowboys' interest in Crosby, they weren't listed as a finalist. You could have printed the "Same old Cowboys" T-shirts.
It hurts to miss out on Crosby, but it would have been detrimental to the present and future to give up two firsts. And it sounds like their reported effort got the Raiders' attention.
An aggressive offseason may happen after all.