The Cowboys could have had Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson and missed out on both.
When Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated that the franchise would "bust the budget," most took that to mean a big fish was coming to The Star.
Yet as we sit here, the Cowboys have yet to reel in that big fish.
The hook has been in the water, but no bites.
The Cowboys were in for Maxx Crosby, which excited fans, but the franchise was reportedly unwilling to part ways with two first-round picks. I'm fine with that.
But after the failed trade to the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys could have gone back in for Maxx, but chose not to.
The other big pass-rushing name was Trey Hendrickson, and he was linked to Dallas for weeks. But he signed with the Ravens, and Maxx is back in Las Vegas.
So the Cowboys lost out on two key players who could have helped this defense immensely.
And for MMQB's Michael Fabiano, he isn't happy that the franchise missed out on both pass rushers.
"As a lifelong Cowboys fan who will question every move Jerry Jones makes (or in this case doesn’t make), I’m left questioning his decision not to add Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson," Fabiano wrote.
"Who knows, maybe the former might still happen with Rashan Gary taking a pay cut after being traded from the Packers. But Jones had two impact players available who could cause chaos for opposing offensive lines, yet he chose Gary. I know the draft is still ahead, but by whiffing on this duo and trading Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers, Dallas’s defense might be even worse in 2026."
To be fair, Dallas was in for Crosby at first, and I still question why the team didn't go back in for him once the Ravens walked back on the trade.
As for Hendrickson, I'm not sure the Cowboys were ever going to pay big money to him ($28 million APY in Baltimore), especially after his injury, which ended his 2025 season early.
Yes, Dallas moved differently this offseason, but more is needed.
Had one of Crosby or Hendrickson been signed, then Jerry's "bust the budget" quote would make sense. It doesn't at the moment.
Also, we don't know if Dallas' defense is worse than last year, given the coaching hires and players signed, but I can understand why many feel that way.
Maxx or Trey would have been nice, though, wouldn't they?