The Dallas Cowboys have been praised for keeping a low-profile this offseason, but that changed this week when Jerry Jones said he discussed a trade with another team as recently on Monday and that he never lost interest in trading for Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
The irony? Jones uttered no more than 10 minutes earlier that he's not "here" (in Oxnard for training camp) to stir things up. Never change, Jerry.
Jones' remarks sent speculation into overdrive, with Crosby emerging as the focal point. The five-time Pro Bowler is well aware of the buzz, as he told Jarrett Bell of USA Today, calling it "cool" while reassuring Raiders fans that he wants to be in Las Vegas.
“I’m getting rehab, the first thing this morning, and all my teammates are looking at it, and I’m trying to ignore it. But ultimately, you just have to learn to roll with the punches. I’ve gone through a lot in my personal life, a lot in my football life. So, (stuff) like that is nothing. If the child version of me was looking at Stephen A. Smith talking about, ‘Is this dude the guy to come win you a Super Bowl?’ like I think that’s cool. Whether it’s made up or not. They wouldn’t be talking about you if you weren’t doing something right.
And I know what I bring to the table as a player, and as a leader, and as a worker. I want to be here. Everyone knows that. So, you can’t let any of that (stuff) get into your head or let it distract you.”
Crosby isn't making Jerry Jones' job any easier, but that doesn't matter. The Cowboys will be waiting if and when the Raiders are ready to make a deal.
The Cowboys aren't done with Maxx Crosby no matter what he says
Who are we to believe that Crosby even wants to be in Las Vegas? This is the same player who requested a trade just a few months ago. Sure, the Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza and brought in a lot of new faces on defense, but they're not going anywhere this season. Not in the loaded AFC West.
As for the Raiders, how many times did they insist they weren't going to trade Crosby? When push came to shove, they sent him to Baltimore for two first-round picks. It stands to reason that Vegas would at least listen if the offer was strong enough.
It's hard to believe Crosby has suddenly become untouchable. A failed physical is the only reason Crosby isn't a Raven right now. Even if Crosby and the Raiders' decision-makers broke bread, we've already seen Las Vegas reverse course once.
If the Raiders start 0-4 and are staring at another nothing season, Crosby's feelings -- if genuine -- may not matter. Jerry Jones isn't going anywhere, and he already made it clear this week that he's willing to pay a steep price for the right player.
Whether it's in two weeks or two months, the Cowboys are going to make another run at Crosby. If the Raiders want to accelerate their rebuild around Fernando Mendoza, stockpiling another premium pick(s) in what experts are calling a historic 2027 draft class would be hard to turn down.
No matter what Crosby says, Dallas isn't done with him.
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