The Cowboys are thought to be keeping an eye on Maxx Crosby's situation, but are they now all the way out?
The Dallas Cowboys' offseason gossip, particularly over the past 48 hours, has included speculation on the franchise chasing a trade for Maxx Crosby.
After the Baltimore Ravens sensationally walked back on their deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, many thought that it was Dallas' time to jump back into the sweepstakes.
But multiple media reports poured cold water on them.
Still, there was hope.
The Cowboys traded away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas, with fans thinking those moves were being made with an even bigger one in mind.
We have since seen Crosby take to social media to, for all intents and purposes, announce he's staying a Raider, but we know the NFL changes quickly.
With the Cowboys still in need of another pass-rusher, plus a host of other needs on defense, could the franchise still be in on Maxx?
Cowboys Nation sure hopes so, even though the feeling we are getting is that Dallas isn't interested in returning to the well.
Meanwhile, Jerry Jones' latest comments only add confusion to the situation.
The owner might be hinting that there still could be a chance here.
“We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are,” Jones said via Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press. “So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out.”
So there you have it.
"No.'' But "maybe.''
If we read between the lines, we say Dallas has already run its race with Maxx, pivoted accordingly, and is now moving down a different path.
Yet Jerry doesn't want to rule it out.
Why not?
For one thing, it could be because if the Raiders somehow pick up the phone and ask Jerry if he wants Maxx, he is answering the call.
And for another? "Maxx to Dallas'' can stay in the headlines to the delight of the marketing-minded owner.
Yes, we can hear Cowboys Nation screaming through your screens at Jerry's comments. After all, if there was a time to get back into the Crosby sweepstakes, it's now. If you loved him last Friday, why not like him (along with more examination of that knee problem that caused the Ravens to pull out) now?
But Jerry's answer is firm on Crosby. At least until it's not.