Maxx Crosby has been traded to the Baltimore Ravens, but that shouldn't turn away the Dallas Cowboys from still achieving what they need to in free agency.
The Dallas Cowboys were plenty in the race for the Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby, but "America's Team" knew it's limits.
The Raiders were seeking at least two first-round draft picks in exchange for the five-time Pro Bowler. And after fielding offers for multiple days - including a legit candidate from the Cowboys - Las Vegas ultimately struck a deal with the Baltimore Ravens for their desired price.
Reports following the trade revealed that Dallas' best offer was one of its two first-round picks this season, a second-round pick in 2027, and a starting-caliber player.
Vegas wanted two firsts, and credit to them for not caving to anything less just to offload their disgruntled star.
Now while the Cowboys were out-bid on a player who would immediately help turnaround an awful defense, missing on this trade shouldn't turn owner and general manager Jerry Jones away from pursing others, or still achieving what he needs to this offseason.
We've heard that the next plan for Jones to live up to his "bust the budget" claim is by targeting former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who enters unrestricted free agency and will be quick to find himself a new home.
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Hendrickson, like Crosby, is one of the game's most premier defensive ends, but there is more flexibility in managing his type of player. Due to being on the wrong end of 30, he could bring a slightly less expensive contract than Crosby and would be signed without the need to fork over trade capital.
Paying Crosby at least $35 million and being without up to two future first-round picks wouldn't have gotten Dallas any closer to where it wants to be as a collective defense, even considering Crosby's brilliance. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker steps into one of the NFL's toughest turnaround projects, so the Cowboys need as much reinforcements on all three levels as it can find.
Holding those two first-round picks (No. 12 and 20) will also bode as well as any free agency signing in terms of finding potential starters without sacrificing much of the cap. That will come down to Will McClay's team nailing its scouting process in the coming weeks.
As far as free agency is concerned "legal tampering" between teams and players will begin on Monday, and official signings can begin on Wednesday. Dallas still has major boxes to check in-house with George Pickens and Brandon Aubrey contracts.
Jerry Jones has vowed to spend as much money as he ever has this offseason. Cowboys Nation appreciates the effort here with Crosby, but there won't be satisfaction until the deals start rolling in.
Perhaps a missed opportunity like this - but one Dallas is happy limiting itself in - can kickstart that urgency.
