Patching up their defensive issues is going to be a key factor in building out the Dallas Cowboys' 2026 roster.
Last offseason saw the Cowboys make a game-changing move on the offensive side of the ball with the acquisition of a disgruntled George Pickens. Could the Cowboys right their wrongs by acquiring a disgruntled Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders?
The veteran pass rusher was named the Cowboys' dream trade target.
"If the Cowboys pull off a seismic trade for Crosby, they could have a dominant defensive line that also features Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark on the interior," Bleacher Report wrote. "In 2025, Dallas gave up the most points and passing yards. It can address the secondary in the draft. A young group of defensive backs would benefit from playing behind a strong front led by Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowler."
The Cowboys got better defensively after the trade deadline, but they could use a big swing. Crosby is expected to generate a lot of interest in the NFL's trade market, and Jerry Jones' front office is always star-hunting.
Last year, the Cowboys' future with the game-changing defensive end Micah Parsons totally fell through. The two sides couldn't come close to agreeing in negotiations, and once Parsons felt disrespected, he turned into an offseason holdout.
The Cowboys had a massive distraction on their hands as direct shots were traded publicly. Eventually, it was clear that a split had to happen.
Parsons went to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for Clark and two first-round picks. He picked up an immediate four-year deal, worth $188 million. Now, the Cowboys could potentially use one of those assets in negotiations with the Raiders if they are truly interested.
Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders. His deal might be significantly cheaper than what Parsons would've cost Dallas, but they'll have to give up some important assets in order to acquire him.
The demand for Crosby will be high. During his age-28 season, he appeared in 15 games. Crosby combined 73 tackles and produced 28 tackles for a loss. He hit the quarterback 20 times and picked up 10.0 sacks. For Crosby, it was the fourth time in seven seasons he notched double-digit sacks.
With the Crosby situation far from resolved, it's unclear if the Cowboys have a shot at his services. However, it's hard to argue against the idea that he should be viewed as a dream candidate in Dallas.
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