Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys had been one of the most dogged teams in pursuing Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, but the fourth time likely won’t be the charm for the NFC East contenders.
A new report from ESPN’s Ryan McFadden detailed exactly how the trade between the Raiders and Baltimore Ravens fell apart, while outlining what comes next for the star edge rusher. The Raiders don’t have any immediate plans to trade Crosby, and their asking price could end any hope the Cowboys have of landing him.
Cowboys Pulling Out of Maxx Crosby Race
McFadden’s report revealed that the Cowboys actually made three separate trade offers to the Raiders. The first was a 2026 first-round pick (20th overall) along with defensive tackle Osa Odighizuw, but the Cowboys withdrew the offer during negotiations.
The Cowboys then came back with a deal that included a 2026 first-round pick (12th overall) and a 2027 third-round pick, though the Raiders turned down this offer. The final proposal from Dallas included a 2026 first-round pick (20th overall) and a 2027 second-round pick to Las Vegas.
The Raider turned down this as well, eventually striking a temporary deal with the Ravens.
As John Breech of CBS Sports noted, the Cowboys are out of the Crosby race for the time being.
“The Cowboys didn’t land Crosby, but they did add some pass-rushing help by making a trade for Green Bay’s Rashan Gary,” Breech reported. “Dallas could theoretically still try to make a trade for Crosby, but right now, that seems to be off the table. For one, the Cowboys no longer appear to be too interested in possibly making a deal and the other part here is that Crosby no longer wants out of Las Vegas, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.”
If the Raiders continue to keep their asking price for Crosby the same, it could also preclude the Cowboys from jumping back in the mix. The Cowboys did not remain engaged with a fourth offer, signalling that they didn’t want to go any higher than their third and final proposal to the Raiders.
Maxx Crosby Wants to be a Raider
The ESPN report cast doubt on whether Crosby could be traded at all, noting that he is happy to return to the team despite the tensions that arose when they shut him down with an injury late in the season. Though the Raiders could revisit the idea of trading him, that wouldn’t come until much later this year.
“Teams continue to check in on his availability, but as of now, the Raiders’ asking price to trade Crosby’s contract remains high,” McFadden wrote. “And given what has happened, teams are hesitant to meet it, a league source said. Multiple Raiders sources say they’d be surprised if Crosby was traded in the short term. Perhaps a window of opportunity opens closer to the draft, but the team is certainly keeping an open mind on retaining him.”
With the trade talks cooled, Crosby will now become a centerpiece of head coach Klint Kubiak’s rebuilding effort in Las Vegas.