Cowboys push for star pass rusher, but a looming deadline and price tag could force them to look elsewhere for defensive difference-makers.
FRISCO - CowboysRoundtable.com reported earlier this week that the Dallas Cowboys would be bidding on trading for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. ... but that Jerry Jones' club has no intention of giving up two first-round picks.
Then came the news that the Cowboys on Wednesday night "thought they were close'' to acquiring Maxx ... but that other bidders have stepped up, causing Dallas to be "expected to shift their focus to Trey Hendrickson.
All of this - not to mention rumors of the Eagles and Ravens and others wanting to get in on the Maxx thing - has created the impression that Dallas is bowing out and moving on.
That - as we write this - is not so.
The Cowboys, so hungry for additions to a defense that in 2025 was the NFL's worst, are intent on adding two veteran "difference-makers'' in the coming weeks.
"Crosby to the Cowboys'' can still be one of those.
But we're also told there is a soft deadline of sorts.
The NFL's "legal tampering period'' in free agency begins on Monday. Teams can officially sign players on Wednesday.
We're told that the Cowboys will only wait so long on a Raiders decision regarding Dallas' offer (which, again, is presently something less than two firsts) before moving on to free agents like Hendrickson and a host of others who could be considered "difference-makers'' on defense.
Crosby is a gifted high-energy five-time Pro Bowler with DFW roots; he fits here.
But he's also due $35 million for 2026. There are limits to what Dallas will do.
But for now, as of this writing? Exiting the Maxx Sweepstakes is not yet at the "limit'' point.