NFL Trade Rumors: Dallas Cowboys stay firmly in mix for Maxx Crosby as owner keeps door open

The Dallas Cowboys made a serious push to land Maxx Crosby, and the paper trail now shows just how aggressive those efforts were. Multiple offers went across to the Las Vegas Raiders, each one escalating in value. While a deal never materialized, fresh developments around other teams and internal evaluations suggest the door may not be completely shut. For a franchise still searching for defensive bite, the Crosby pursuit remains a revealing look at both intent and missed timing.According to ESPN reporter Ryan McFadden, Dallas Cowboys put together three distinct trade packages, each one more aggressive than the last. “Initial offers centered on Dallas’ second first-round pick at No. 20, and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa,” McFadden noted. The offers then evolved. “The Cowboys then offered their top first-rounder at No. 12 and a third-round pick.”There was one more push. “Ultimately, the Cowboys moved to No. 12 and their second-round pick, but the last two offers, sources said, did not include Odighizuwa, who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round selection.”That sequence tells its own story. Jerry Jones and the front office were not testing the waters. They were committed to landing an elite pass rusher who could instantly change the tone of their defense. Crosby’s production backs that belief. By the end of the 2025-26 season, he had stacked 73 tackles, 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss and an interception, numbers that reflect both consistency and disruption.One potential obstacle quietly disappeared. The Detroit Lions were never truly in the race. Team president Ron Wood made that clear, saying the franchise “never were in the game” for a high-profile pass rusher. He added, “So if we had gone out and done the biggest – let’s say we did the Maxx Crosby trade or the Trey Hendrickson signing, that probably would have meant, which one of these guys are we going to let go?”That clarity narrows the field, but another twist complicated matters. Jane Slater reported that Dr. Daniel Cooper reviewed Crosby’s medicals during his physical with the Baltimore Ravens. “Cooper is the Cowboys team doctor and is a premiere knee specialist,” she stated. “As stated by Shan below, Schefter in the clip says ‘Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images and the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.’”That insight may explain why Dallas cooled off after initially appearing well-positioned. Still, the club has not closed the door. Co-owner Stephen Jones kept the message open-ended: “We look at a lot of different situations. We look at some that never hit the media, if you will… We're always looking to make our football team better, and if you find that situation, then we'll do it.”He added, “We're really getting to know Christian and what his philosophy is and the type of players that he needs to help him have success on that side of the ball… This will continue to evolve, and we're always looking for ways to get better.”For now, Crosby remains with the Raiders, a cornerstone rather than a trade chip. But Dallas has already shown its hand. If circumstances shift again, it would not be surprising to see them circle back.