Disgruntled Raiders star Maxx Crosby could land in Dallas. A blockbuster trade looms, fueled by a dramatic shift in Las Vegas and Crosby's desire to win.
FRISCO - There is a connection of sorts between the Dallas Cowboys and disgruntled Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby.
And "for the first time,'' as NFL reporter Dianna Russini puts it, there may be an opportunity to firm up that "connection'' via a trade.
Russini is reporting at The Athletic that the Raiders are involved in "a dramatic shift from just two months ago, when Crosby and Davis nixed any trade discussions ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline. Many believe Las Vegas will be open to moving its star pass rusher if the relationship remains at an impasse, allowing Crosby, who will turn 29 this summer, an opportunity to compete on a team built to win now.''
Enter the Cowboys, who have the ammo to make a blockbuster deal by acquiring Crosby as the pass-rush replacement for Micah Parsons, who was traded away this year to Green Bay.
What would it take to do the deal? Maybe a first-round pick (Dallas owns two of those in the upcoming NFL Draft) and a player?
In such a swap, Las Vegas - bad enough to land the No. 1 overall pick in this draft - would launch (another) rebuild. And Crosby would move to his adopted hometown of Dallas.
Crosby is known for a relentless motor, for his usual 11 sacks per season, and for a passion that led to his unhappiness with the Raiders when they opted to put him in mothballs at the end of this season in order to help them tank.
Crosby remains unhappy, according to FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer, as he “vehemently disagreed” with the Raiders’ decision. ... and Crosby then stormed out of the team's HQ as he was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Dallas has extra D-linemen now and has quality wideouts if the Raiders want a player in addition to picks. And lining up Maxx alongside Quinnen Williams for the Cowboys?
It would work ... and justify the Crosby contract, which counts about $30 million against the cap going forward.
Crosby, 28, attended high school at Colleyville Heritage, has said positive things about DFW and has even spoken admiringly about team owner Jerry Jones' status as a "maverick.''
“I got a ton of respect for Jerry Jones and what he’s built over there in Dallas,'' Crosby recently said. ... one more reason the Cowboys should explore making Maxx part of that building process in 2026.