Potential Trade Buzz for the Cowboys
Only the Cowboys could seize a chance for what could be the two biggest trades of the NFL season, and both center around the same position. Just months after sending Micah Parsons to the Packers in a major trade, Dallas is now reportedly eyeing another top pass rusher.
This latest development arrives amid a dramatic downturn for the Raiders. The initial optimism surrounding Pete Carroll’s influence seems to have morphed into a discouraging scenario. As speculation grows, there’s talk that Las Vegas may look to rebuild its roster extensively. It’s been reported that the Cowboys are interested in Maxx Crosby, according to Trey Wingo.
This would be just another unexpected twist in an already remarkable 2025 season. So, let’s unpack the situation and see how feasible this trade might be.
The Cowboys this year are, well, intriguing. One week they fall to the Panthers, then the next they push the Packers to overtime before beating the Commanders. There’s a lot of inconsistency, especially on defense, where they’re really feeling the absence of Micah Parsons.
Crosby and Parsons, while both are pass rushers, have quite different skill sets. Parsons relies on his speed and finesse, while Crosby leans more on sheer power and effort, though he’s also a strong presence against the run. Interestingly, one of the points Jerry Jones made in parting with Parsons was to toughen up against the run. Unfortunately, that hasn’t materialized, but perhaps Crosby could help solidify that side of the field.
From the Raiders’ standpoint, they seem to be teetering on the edge of collapse. They’ve been living on borrowed time, especially with whispers that Crosby wants out to join a team with better prospects. At 28, after six solid years with the Raiders, it seems unlikely he’ll want to stick around for another rebuild. Their best option might be to dismantle the team and trade off assets to prepare for the draft.
With the Raiders now looking to sell, the Cowboys are positioned to be buyers in this market. So could this actually happen?
Where’s the funding? Dallas has enough cap space to accommodate Crosby this year without issue, but 2026 may bring challenges. They’re currently sitting at $2.4 million in available cap, so they’d need adjustments to have a full roster and fit Crosby under the salary cap, especially if they aim to keep George Pickens, too.
Interestingly, they have the option to opt out of Kenny Clark’s contract, which could clear up $21.5 million against the cap. But that amount may already be earmarked for Pickens’ extension, meaning more contracts will need to be restructured. It’s not an easy task.
Crosby’s current contract with the Raiders has a cap hit of $35.8 million in 2026, which is a significant consideration for Dallas. The real question is how far the Cowboys are willing to go to secure this trade. Would they prioritize a rebuild and extend Dak Prescott’s contract again? How would they handle Trevon Diggs? The core question revolves around what compromises they’re prepared to make in other areas, and whether acquiring Crosby would genuinely bolster the team.
Dallas is certainly making bold moves lately, but this could throw them back into the familiar quandary of having too many stars and not enough cap space. That’s their biggest hurdle.
Likelihood of the Trade
The more moving parts there are, the less likely a trade seems to materialize. Still, no team loves making big moves quite like the Cowboys, and acquiring Crosby could be a significant boost for their playoff hopes.
The NFC landscape is quite open, and Dallas has the draft capital to facilitate a deal. Ultimately, it’ll hinge on whether the Raiders want to keep their star pass rusher satisfied or trade him to a competitive team.
This is where things get interesting. Once it’s clear that Vegas is open to trading Crosby, it’s likely offers will pour in, but right now, the Cowboys seem to be in the leading position.
I’d say the odds of this trade happening are around 40%. Not bad for an arrangement of this magnitude.
