With Maxx Crosby trade speculation running rampant once again, every notable piece of news that comes out of Las Vegas will be connected to the Dallas Cowboys. Just as Brock Bowers' injury is relevant to Dallas if it contributes to a slow Raiders start, Las Vegas' decision to free up cap room should have Cowboys fans' antennas up.
The Raiders have restructured the contracts of Quay Walker and Jalen Nailor, creating $8.2 million in cap space. Both players signed as free agents, so it makes sense to add void years to players you expect to be around for a while.
In any event, Las Vegas now has just over $11 million in cap room, and one has to wonder if they are creating the requisite flexibility to absorb another player's salary in a possible Crosby trade.
The Raiders can now afford to absorb a Cowboys contract
Here's why it's noteworthy.
An acquiring team needs enough cap space to absorb a player's salary cap at the moment a trade is executed. It can't complete the deal first and figure out the accounting afterward. In other words, the Raiders have given themselves the financial wiggle room to take on another contract in a trade.
That's precisely why it was noteworthy when the Cowboys freed up $19 million by restructuring the deals of Kenny Clark, Jake Ferguson, and DaRon Bland. They now have $33 million, which is enough to afford Crosby's $30 million salary.
The acquiring team can subsequently restructure Crosby's salary down to $7 million, but only after the trade is complete.
Jerry Jones has made it clear that he's willing to sacrifice future draft capital for an impact player. But the Cowboys aren't necessarily limited to picks in a potential Crosby deal.
Dallas reportedly included Osa Odighizuwa in at least one of its offers for Crosby back in March, so this front office has already shown a willingness to put established players on the table to get a blockbuster deal across the finish line.
Some players Las Vegas can now afford -- if they want a player in addition to a pick -- include Malik Hooker and Rashan Gary. Donovan Ezeiruaku may pique their interest as well.
Regardless, the Raiders had a shade over $3 million in cap room before these restructures. They can now take on another contract and have some money left over, which is important. Teams generally want to preserve some cap space in case injuries force them to sign a free agent or promote a player to the active roster.
This is one option, but it hardly confirms that's what's going on behind the scenes at Raiders headquarters.
The Raiders could be eyeing up a free agent
Speaking of signing a free agent, Las Vegas' roster lacks talent in a lot of areas. The restructures could be the precursor to a free-agent signing. Before, the Raiders would have completely drained their assets by inking a player to the veteran minimum. Now, they could be more incentivized to get someone new in the building.
It's also possible that general manager John Spytek wants to roll over cap space into 2027. The Raiders are projected to have $68 million in cap room next season, per Over The Cap, and there isn't a rule against getting a head start on adding to the pot.
Whatever Las Vegas is up to, Cowboys fans should be on alert. Maybe it's a nothing-burger, but the Raiders had nowhere near the spending latitude to absorb another notable contract before Thursday.
That's kind of a big deal.
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