Despite a collapsed trade with the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is signaling that a pursuit of Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby remains possible, though unlikely, as the team aggressively remakes its defense through other means.
The Collapsed Ravens Deal and Its Aftermath
The Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens had agreed to a trade sending pass rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore, but the deal fell through, leaving Crosby unexpectedly available. This development immediately sparked speculation across the NFL, with the Dallas Cowboys—already in desperate need of a premier edge rusher—rumored to be interested.
At an event promoting an IndyCar race at AT&T Stadium on March 12, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones was asked about pursuing Crosby. His response, as reported by the Associated Press, was telling: “We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are. So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out.”
Cowboys’ Defensive Overhaul in Full Swing
Jones’ comment comes as the Cowboys have already launched an ambitious effort to fix a defense that was the worst in the NFL last season. Dallas allowed a league-high 30.1 points per game and ranked dead-last in defensive expected points added per game, per team statistics tracked by NFL Next Gen Stats.
The moves have been aggressive:
- Signed safety Jalen Thompson away from the Arizona Cardinals in free agency.
- Acquired edge rusher Rashan Gary – a 2019 first-round pick with consistent sack production – in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, as detailed by Yahoo Sports.
- Traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who had signed a four-year, $80 million extension just a year prior, to create cap flexibility. Jones explained, “We needed to spread it around a little bit,” noting the presence of stars like Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams on hefty deals, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Jones expressed confidence in the new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, stating, “I feel very good about it. We have nowhere but up to go on defense… we’ll almost assuredly be much better.”
The Maxx Crosby Factor
Maxx Crosby is a transformative talent when healthy, having averaged double-digit sacks in multiple seasons. His potential acquisition would immediately bolster a Cowboys pass rush that significantly declined after the trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers on the eve of the 2025 season. Without Parsons, Dallas’ pressure rate dropped from fourth in the NFL in 2024 to 15th in 2025, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
However, Crosby himself has signaled his intention to stay with the Raiders. In a March 11 social media post, he pledged his commitment to Las Vegas, adding another layer of complexity to any potential deal.
Why a Trade Is Unlikely
Several factors make a Crosby-to-Cowboys trade improbable despite Jones’ open-ended comment. First, the Cowboys have already allocated significant cap space and assets to other defensive players, and Jones admitted they are “pretty far down the road” with their current plans. Second, Crosby’s public pledge to the Raiders suggests he may not waive his no-trade clause or push for a move. Third, the Raiders would likely demand a high draft pick compensation, which Dallas may be unwilling to give up after already trading away picks in other deals.
Fan Theories and the Bigger Picture
The possibility of adding a player of Crosby’s caliber has ignited fan debates across Cowboys forums and social media. Many argue that with the NFC East wide open and a potent offense, a Crosby addition could make Dallas an instant Super Bowl contender. Others point to the team’s recent defensive missteps and question whether another high-profile trade is wise given the cap constraints.
Jones’ history of bold moves—including the Parsons trade itself—means nothing is off the table, but the current trajectory suggests the Cowboys are betting on their new acquisitions and draft picks to revive the defense rather than a blockbuster trade.
The Bottom Line
Jerry Jones’ refusal to rule out a Maxx Crosby trade is classic Jonesian ambiguity, keeping options open while signaling the team’s primary focus is elsewhere. With the Cowboys already deep into their defensive remade and Crosby seemingly committed to the Raiders, a deal appears remote. But in the volatile NFL offseason, Jones’ words remind us that surprises are always possible.
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