Shannon Sharpe has a plan to solve the Dallas Cowboys' $24.5 million cap problem. This move could even clear the path for a blockbuster trade for Raiders star Maxx Crosby.

The Cowboys are currently trying to solve the problems with their defensive line, which cost them a playoff spot last season. They are eyeing star edge rusher Maxx Crosby from Las Vegas. However, they don't really have the cap space to make an offer.

Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe believes there is a way the Cowboys can realistically afford Crosby. The restructuring of CeeDee Lamb’s and Dak Prescott’s contracts can free up considerable cap space for the Cowboys.

“The cap is going up. They are going to restructure CeeDee. They are gonna restructure Dak. Just those two restructures alone are 60 million,” he said on the Nightcap podcast.

However, that's easier said than done. In September 2024, Dak signed a record-breaking four-year, $240 million extension with $231 million guaranteed. That same year, Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million extension.

Another problem is the Raiders’ unwillingness to let Maxx Crosby. Since joining the league in 2019, Crosby has recorded 69.5 sacks, 439 tackles, and 11 forced fumbles. Stats like this speak for themselves, and the Raiders will be in no rush to let him go.

Maxx Crosby has been on the Cowboys’ radar ever since rumors of his rift with the Las Vegas Raiders became apparent last season. However, Crosby is still at odds with the Raiders and might look to leave if the offer is good enough.

Can Maxx Crosby fill the Micah Parsons void?

The Cowboys have lacked a playmaker since Micah Parsons’ unceremonious exit to the Green Bay Packers. Crosby has consistently ranked in the top four edge rushers since 2021-2023, and has been invited to the Pro Bowl five times. So fans and experts alike expect that he will bolster the Cowboys’ ailing defense if they can sign him.

NFL Insider Jason Schultz says the Crosby deal could materialize if the Cowboys are willing to move things around and offer a Micah Parsons-like deal.

“The only way the Raiders move Crosby is if they command somewhere along the lines of a Micah Parsons package. If you go back to that deal, that’s the type of haul that the Raiders would have to get to even consider moving Crosby. I don’t even know if they want to move him. I’m not convinced they do,” he said. 

Whether the Raiders want to trade Crosby or not, teams like the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Chargers also have an eye on him.

Only time will tell where Crosby will play next season. Let us know your predictions in the comments.

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Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi