The Dallas Cowboys could still land a star veteran this offseason, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding trade talks.

The situation around Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby’s trade has been one of the most unpredictable storylines this NFL offseason. Speculation about his departure continues to grow even after Crosby publicly downplayed the idea of a move.

Reputed Cowboys beat writer Jon Machota of The Athletic said in his One-Star Cowboys podcast, "Until Maxx Crosby is on another team, I will never close the door on the Cowboys possibly getting that done."

So far, Maxx Crosby has played in 110 games, recording 439 tackles (278 solo), 69.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 29 passes defended. With production like that and five back-to-back Pro Bowl selections, he would be an immediate game-changer for the Dallas Cowboys.

The Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade with the Raiders, which can now push them to consider another offer for the pass-rusher. A Cowboys deal at a reduced cost is not out of the question particularly if Las Vegas is willing to accept the No. 20 pick plus a late-round selection rather than two first-rounders.

"I just don’t see a world where Maxx Crosby is on the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026," Machota added. Because of that, the only other team that’s come out with an actual offer that has been reported is the Dallas Cowboys.

"If now all the sudden they can get him at a reduced price for pick 20 overall? I don’t think you can completely rule that out, with another late-round pick thrown in there."

The Cowboys initially offered the Raiders a first-rounder (No. 20) and Osa Odighizuwa originally, and came back with an offer of the No. 12 pick and a third-rounder. Dallas’ final offer was No. 12 in 2026 and a 2027 second-round pick. The Raiders refused all three, taking the now-failed Ravens’ offer of two 2026 first-rounders.

Raiders' other choices for Maxx Crosby trade

Multiple teams have explored trades for Maxx Crosby beyond the Dallas Cowboys, but the Raiders’ steep asking price has largely stalled progress after the deal with Baltimore fell apart.

The Chicago Bears and Ravens were initially viewed as the most serious contenders. Chicago has since remained in discussions, with a potential package centered around wide receiver DJ Moore and a 2026 first-round pick seen as a realistic framework.

The Philadelphia Eagles have also shown interest in Crosby as a long-term edge presence, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers have been floated as possible fits by trading draft picks and veteran players.

The Raiders are not actively pushing to move Crosby, and interest around the league has cooled, with teams hesitant to meet the current asking price. Crosby, meanwhile, has indicated he’s content staying in Las Vegas, leaving any potential deal dependent on a shift in the Raiders’ demands.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Afreen Kabir