Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones may have just been gifted the opportunity to put his money where his mouth is (literally). He's expressed a willingness to "bust the budget," and acquiring disgruntled Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby would certainly fit that bill.
If Jones truly wants to swing for the fences and bring the Cowboys back to prominence, he can't miss on the opportunity to add Crosby. As fans are well aware of, Dallas has the means and need to justify such a move, so why not? By the sound of it, renowned NFL voice Rich Eisen couldn't agree more.
Eisen urged Dallas to make a strong push for Crosby, even if it means giving up the No. 12 overall selection in the 2026 draft.
"If [the Cowboys are] able to take the 12th overall pick, and instead of using it on a young defender, get Maxx Crosby for it. ... You are not too far away, you're just not," Eisen said during a recent episode of the Rich Eisen Show.
Rich Eisen nudges the Dallas Cowboys to trade for Raiders star DE Maxx Crosby
The Cowboys are one of four clubs with multiple top-32 picks this year, so they have one to spare, as Eisen insinuates. Dallas can win a bidding war against virtually anyone if needed, and their surplus of premium draft capital should appeal to a rebuilding Raiders squad.
In Eisen's scenario, the Cowboys form a fearsome, experienced defensive line trio between Crosby and Cowboys defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. Then, Dallas spends their other first-rounder to further bolster what was arguably the most porous stop unit in football in 2025.
Suddenly, Dallas would have a revamped star-laden front seven on one side of the ball and perhaps the league's most potent offense on the other. Bringing in someone of Crosby's caliber, who ranks sixth in sacks since 2019 (69.5), can legitimately vault the Cowboys toward the top of the NFC. Cowboys Nation sees it, and Eisen seemingly does too.
Crosby has been at the top of rival teams' wishlists for quite some time, albeit to no avail. Despite constant chatter surrounding his future with the franchise, the Raiders parting ways with him has felt unrealistic — until now.
At long last, Las Vegas appears more willing to trade the five-time Pro Bowler, presenting Jones and the Cowboys with a prime chance to strike.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer would "lean toward" Crosby getting dealt based on chatter from the Scouting Combine, "and maybe this week." All parties involved ostensibly recognize it's time for a fresh start, with Dallas reportedly among the several squads "keeping tabs" on the longtime Raider.