The Dallas Cowboys are going to be at the heart and center of the NFL trade deadline. Not only do they move the needle more than any NFL team, but they check every box of a club that would catapult into contention if they make the right move(s).
Well, with two weeks to go before the Nov. 4 deadline, the Cowboys have already been linked with Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. While team insiders pushed back that Dallas has formally talked to Las Vegas, that doesn't mean Jerry Jones and the front office haven't had internal conversations about pursuing the four-time Pro Bowler.
While a lot can change between now and the deadline, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero dumped cold water on the Cowboys' reported pursuit. Per Pelissero, the Raiders met with Crosby and let him know he isn't being shopped, and Crosby himself doesn't want out of Las Vegas.
Cowboys' Maxx Crosby dream might be over as early as it began
Pelissero added more insight about Crosby's desire to remain with the Raiders.
"Nobody wants to win more than Maxx Crosby, and he wants to do it with the Raiders. "Despite various rumors with the trade deadline 2 weeks away, the face of the franchise isn't leaving Las Vegas."
Crosby could be the latest example of an athlete who may want to spend their entire career with one franchise. There's a level of respect to be had for that, but the 2-5 Raiders are years away from winning.
RELATED: No-brainer Cowboys linebacker trade target is a lot closer than fans think
For one, their gamble to reunite Pete Carroll with quarterback Geno Smith has blown up in their face. That trade likely fueled their decision to draft running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick despite having arguably the worst offensive line in football. That pick could've been used on a premium position like offensive tackle, edge rusher, wide receiver, or cornerback.
Somehow, Carroll convinced ownership that the Raiders were ready to be competitive this year when they are nowhere close, even in a lousy AFC. They got embarrassed 31-0 by the Chiefs in Week 7, and their -77 point differential is third-worst in the NFL behind the Titans and Bengals.
Trading Crosby would at least help jumpstart a rebuild. He's going to be north of 30 years old by the time Las Vegas is ready to start winning again.
There is something to be said about ownership not wanting to trade its best player, and Crosby's loyalty to the team, but neither makes much sense given the current state of the franchise. If that upends the Cowboys' hopes of landing Crosby, then it was never meant to happen anyway.