Three more hours of football are all that separate the Dallas Cowboys from the 2026 offseason. Recency bias is rampant in the NFL, but it's not a stretch to say that this is shaping up to be the most important offseason in recent Cowboys history.
It starts and ends with fixing arguably the worst defense in franchise history. Hiring the right defensive coordinator will go a long way, but the personnel needs impact players, not just fresh faces acquired via the NFL Draft.
Well, a trade for Raiders stud pass rusher Maxx Crosby might actually be a possibility. Crosby is at odds with Las Vegas after he was informed that he'd be shut down for the final two games. The Athletic's Dianna Russini is hearing that the decision may have driven an irreparable wedge between Crosby and the team.
"Maxx Crosby’s Raiders future is also being questioned around the league. Las Vegas shut down its five-time Pro Bowler last week against his wishes, and the relationship between the sides remains strained.
It’s a dramatic shift from just two months ago, when Crosby and Davis nixed any trade discussions ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline. Many believe Las Vegas will be open to moving its star pass rusher if the relationship remains at an impasse, allowing Crosby, who will turn 29 this summer, an opportunity to compete on a team built to win now."
Cowboys must consider a Maxx Crosby trade as Raiders future hangs in the balance
As recently as November, the Raiders were adamant about keeping the four-time Pro Bowler in Las Vegas. Not only have they changed their tune, but it sounds like Crosby is willing to consider a trade for the first time in his career.
To say that the Cowboys should be all over this would be an understatement. They have two first-round picks this year, and while they only have one in 2027 (one got dealt to the Jets in the Quinnen Williams trade), they do have second- and third-rounders next year to offer.
The Cowboys might have to overpay to get Crosby, as there will be a bidding war for his services if he's made available. However, he shouldn't cost as much as Williams or Parsons, both of whom went for two firsts (plus Kenny Clark in Parsons' case). As Russini noted, Crosby will turn 29 before the start of next season. A first and a second, or a first and a third, might get it done.
Regardless, Dallas has three first-round picks over the next two years. If it costs two firsts to land Crosby, Jerry Jones shouldn’t think twice. An impact edge rusher is the team’s biggest need this offseason, and Crosby is arguably one of the five best in the game.
There is something to be said about trading two ones. The Cowboys' needs on defense go beyond edge rusher, so they could use the draft capital. However, the counter to that would be that whoever they draft, even with their first pick, won't be half as good as Crosby is right now.
Crosby takes you that much closer to Super Bowl contention. That's the only variable that matters here.