Earlier this season, rumors circulated about the Dallas Cowboys’ interest in acquiring the Raiders’ star Maxx Crosby. The 2019 fourth-round pick is now a two-time All-Pro who would cost a ton to acquire in a trade.
Thus, despite Dallas being stocked with four first-round picks over the next two seasons at the time, the rumors fizzled out, and the Cowboys instead acquired Quinnen Williams.
With the Raiders now sitting at 2-13, fans across the league have again started speculating about Crosby’s future in Las Vegas. An incident this week has caused those sparks to turn into full-blown fireworks.
As the story goes, the Raiders informed the 28-year-old pass rusher of their intention to sit him for the final two games of the 2025 season. Crosby, a relentless effort player, disagreed and “left the facility.”
The spat has allegedly caused legitimate internal questions about his place in the Raiders’ future.
Does this mean the door is open for Dallas once again, even after the Williams trade? That, the money, and the potential compensation are what we’ll discuss here.
1: Is The Door Open For Another Dallas Deal?
Logistically, Dallas first has to ask if it makes sense for them to pursue Maxx Crosby. This means considering the roster, the money, the trade package, and more.
As far as the roster is concerned, I do think the Cowboys could see an opening for Crosby.
Right now, Donovan Ezeriruaku and James Houston are the only pass rushers under contract beyond the 2025 season. Guys like Sam Williams, Jadeveon Clowney, and Dante Fowler Jr. will all hit free agency.
With the team rebuilding in the trenches, I don’t see any reason why the logistics of the roster would hold them back from making this kind of trade.
2: What About The Money Maxx Crosby Brings?
Perhaps even more so than the trade package, most people would be concerned with the financial side of a Crosby-to-Dallas deal.
After all, the team already has a stack of massive contracts and is likely to add another one with George Pickens needing an extension or the franchise tag in the 2026 offseason.
However, the money is really not that bad when you look at it; it almost makes it a guarantee that Crosby will at least be considered by Vegas as a trade candidate.
The Raiders would take on just $5M in dead cap, which is essentially nothing, while his new team would really be taking on a short-term contract, as only his 2026 money would be guaranteed.
Would Dallas have to choose between Crosby and Pickens to make it work? Possibly. Would they probably pick the pass-rusher over the sometimes-concerning wide receiver? I think so.
3: What Would A Compensation Package Look Like?
Lastly, we have the compensation side, which is critical after Dallas sent two premier picks to the Jets for Williams this season.
In 2026, they have two first-round picks, one fourth, three fifths, and two sevenths. In 2027, they will have one selection in the first, second, third, and seventh rounds, with no picks in the fifth and two in the sixth.
If we look at recent history, like the Micah Parsons and Williams trades, it seems obvious that it would take one of the Cowboys’ two firsts this year, another pick in 2027, and potentially a player; my mind goes to somebody like Joe Milton III.
That would mean Dallas would pick just twice between the first and fourth rounds in the 2026 NFL Draft, but it would also mean you used one first for Crosby, a second for Williams, and a third for Pickens; that is pretty damn good.
Ultimately, I do see a lane for the Cowboys to be Crosby contenders should he become available, though other teams may have a less complicated path to get there.
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