NFL teams are reportedly calling the Raiders about Maxx Crosby. If the Cowboys entered the mix, his complete skill set could finally fix Dallas’ defensive front.
Raiders Fielding Calls on Maxx Crosby
The Las Vegas Raiders are once again in the middle of trade speculation, with several reports confirming that teams have reached out about defensive end Maxx Crosby.
While the Raiders aren’t actively shopping their superstar, they’re not turning away calls either — and that’s enough to intrigue a contender like the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas has the offensive firepower to contend, but its defense has struggled to find identity or consistency. If Jerry Jones truly believes this roster is capable of a Super Bowl run, a move for Crosby could be the kind of all-in swing that defines a season.
Why the Raiders Might Listen
Crosby’s three-year, $106.5 million extension gives Las Vegas financial control, but it also makes him their most valuable trade asset.
With the Raiders sitting near the bottom of the AFC West, the idea of retooling with premium draft capital has gained traction.
According to multiple reports, “at least three teams have made exploratory calls,” knowing Crosby’s competitiveness might not align with another rebuild. A serious offer from a contender could finally test the Raiders’ resolve.
To Fans Saying “The Cowboys Should Have Just Kept Micah Parsons”
Cowboys fans will inevitably respond, “Why go after Crosby when we already had Micah Parsons?”
The truth: Parsons and Crosby aren’t the same type of defender. Parsons is an explosive hybrid — a linebacker who rushes the passer. Crosby is a complete, three-down defensive end built to dominate against both the run and the pass.
Dallas doesn’t need more flash. It needs foundation. Crosby is that foundation.
Statistical Comparison: Crosby vs. Parsons (Adjusted to Equal 61 Games)
To fairly compare, Crosby’s numbers have been adjusted to match Parsons’ 61 career games through 2024.
Maxx Crosby vs. Micah Parsons
Analysis: When measured per game, the gap between the two narrows in sacks and pressures, but Crosby dominates every other category — especially run defense, efficiency, and stamina.
Crosby’s ability to handle 90%+ of defensive snaps and maintain production shows why coaches see him as a true defensive end, not a situational weapon. Parsons can flip a game; Crosby can control one.
How Crosby Would Transform the Cowboys’ Front Seven
This Dallas defense has lacked edge containment and balance. The run defense ranks bottom-ten in the NFL, allowing 4.8 yards per carry on outside runs, and opponents frequently attack the perimeter.
Pairing Maxx Crosby with James Houston, Osa Odighizuwa, and Kenny Clark would immediately change the tone.
Crosby and Houston off the edges would create constant disruption, while Clark’s power and Osa’s quickness would collapse the pocket inside.
Crosby’s consistency would allow defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to simplify his scheme — relying more on four-man fronts and natural pressure, rather than desperate blitzes that expose the secondary.
The ripple effect could elevate the Cowboys from a bottom of the barrel defense to a top-five unit in defensive efficiency (EPA per play).
Even a conservative projection of 11 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, and 60 pressures from Crosby would create a measurable jump in turnover rate and time-to-throw disruption — two metrics where Dallas currently ranks outside the top ten.
Why This Move Defines a Contender
The Raiders won’t trade Maxx Crosby easily, but the calls are real — and the Cowboys should be among them.
For Dallas, this is the kind of swing that separates contenders from pretenders. Crosby isn’t a luxury; he’s the difference between good and great.
He’s the player who fixes the edge, raises the locker room’s standard, and gives the defense a relentless heartbeat.
If the Cowboys truly believe their window is now, there’s one question that matters:
“What will it take to bring Maxx Crosby to Dallas?”
I wouldn’t mind getting Crosby, but I think there are better options out there!! Hendrickson is better!! He gets to the QB better than Crosby and Parsons do!! He is older, but he is better too, so he would be a better option!! And I think Hendrickson would be cheaper to get too!! But in all, I think we’re good with who we have!! If we have to trade for somebody, I think trading for a LB would be the better way to go!! We need a LB more than an edge rusher!! But I guess we’ll see what happens!!
Crosby is the better all-around player and on a long term deal the Cowboys can afford.
Rather keep the extra first round draft picks and grab a top college defensive lineman in 2026.
Why waste the offense the Cowboys have this year? If you have the draft capital get better now and win. The defense is just a couple pieces away from being middle of the pack and that alone would make the Cowboys a Super Bowl threat.
Unfortunately, I think one premise here (that Crosby might not want to stick things out in LV) is fundamentally wrong. The guy didn’t just sign a new extension – he did so for the two-year-old Nick Bosa price tag, at a time when the entire league knew top elite Edge guys like him were going to be able to break $40M a year. That isn’t because he or his agent was stupid – it’s because he didn’t care to max his pay or leverage being elsewhere. He’s almost surely happy where he is, and that takes him off the board for anything less than a crazy trade price. Anyone looking to give up more to get Crosby than Dallas got in return for Parsons? Because I think that would be required.
Raiders need to realize the extra 1st rd picks Dallas got from green bay are really 2nd rd picks, if green bay makes the playoffs over the next 2 years, those 1st rd picks are mid to high 20s.
I wouldn’t trade mad max for anything less than top 10 picks