Maxx Crosby vs Christian Gonzalez: A Cowboys Bet?

Maxx Crosby and Christian Gonzalez are two very different answers to the same Cowboys problem: this defense needs another difference-maker.

I’ve been trying to talk myself into Crosby wearing a Cowboys uniform for a while now. Probably longer than I should, but what isn’t to like about Maxx Crosby? He’s mean, productive, doesn’t disappear for long stretches, and plays with an edge to his game.

Put him in this defense and it goes to another level. I don’t think anyone would complain about getting him.

But Christian Gonzalez’s contract situation in New England caught my attention.

The Patriots picked up his fifth-year option, and as of now they aren’t, reportedly, shopping him. I won’t pretend or make up a story about him wanting to be traded or him sitting on the trade block. That hasn’t happened.

Robert Kraft even said New England offered Christian Gonzalez a deal that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, but Gonzalez hasn’t agreed to this deal.

All of this doesn’t mean he’s available, but it has grabbed my attention.

Because if Dallas somehow got a shot at either Maxx Crosby or Christian Gonzalez, I think I would call New England first.

Maxx Crosby Is Still the Fun Answer

Maxx Crosby played through a knee issue for most of 2025 and still finished with 29 pressures. He eventually needed surgery, but he was back on the field when the Raiders camp opened.

So, I don’t think Crosby is damaged goods. He’s still one of the best defensive players in football, but after some thought, I think Dallas has already spent a lot fixing the front.

They got Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku is going into year 2, Dallas drafted Malachi Lawrence, and Quinnen Williams is sitting in the middle of the defense after signing a three-year, $105.9 million extension.

Add Maxx Crosby to that mix and that is must-see TV.

At some point I’m asking how much more Dallas needs to spend there while cornerback is still sitting there, possibly unfinished.

I don’t know any team in the NFL that would turn down an elite pass rusher if they became available, but do we need to throw another massive contract and premium draft capital at the defensive line? I’m not as sold now as I was in the past.

Christian Gonzalez Fixes What Isn’t Trustworthy

DaRon Bland is the best corner the Cowboys have, but injuries have become a part of his career. Then we have Shavon Revel, who has talent and will finally get a healthy season, which I want to see before he is anointed as trustworthy.

The corner that has the most potential is Cobie Durant and he is having a great offseason.

Christian Gonzalez takes a lot of the uncertainty away, or at least one half of the field, and what’s nice is Christian Gonzalez is 24 and coming off a Pro Bowl season.

Last season, he finished the year with 69 tackles and 10 passes defended in 14 starts. He’s done so well that New England views him as one of the best young corners in football. You don’t talk about making him the highest paid corner if the guy is replaceable.

The problem around the contract seems to be more than just being the highest paid. Reporting around negotiations suggests Christian Gonzalez wants protection against the rising salary cap turning today’s contract into yesterday’s news.

I don’t know if this is a trade the Cowboys can afford because that type of contract would be expensive now and get more expensive in the future.

But we are comparing him to Maxx Crosby, so, nobody is getting out of either deal cheap.

So, if Dallas is already talking about giving up premium assets and handing over big money, I’d rather use it on the part of the defense that still feels uncertain.

I would love to see Christian Parker have Gonzalez and DaRon Bland outside, maybe even Cobie Durant, keep developing Shavon Revel. Parker can work some magic with that cornerback room and turn loose the defensive front.

This might matter more than adding another pass rusher just because Maxx Crosby is the hot name circulating. Believe me, I still want Crosby.

If Dallas traded for him tomorrow, I’d spend the next hour trying to figure out how anybody is supposed to block the Cowboys front.

I just don’t think he would be my first call anymore. Not with Christian Gonzalez sitting at a position of bigger need. Could the Cowboys actually push all their chips in and bet on one of these players?

Whose your choice?