Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he would not rule out revisiting trade discussions for edge rusher Maxx Crosby, though he indicated such a move is unlikely as the team has advanced significantly in its free agency plans. Jones made the comments Thursday at an event promoting an IndyCar street race near the Cowboys’ Arlington stadium, addressing speculation about the team’s interest in the Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher.
The Cowboys were among a handful of teams pursuing Crosby when the Baltimore Ravens initially agreed to send two first-round draft picks to the Raiders for the defensive star. However, Baltimore backed out of the deal one day before it could become official, leaving Crosby’s future uncertain and keeping Dallas in potential contention for his services.
Cowboys Address Pass Rush Needs After Maxx Crosby Deal Falls Through
When it appeared Crosby was heading to Baltimore, Dallas moved quickly to secure edge rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick on the opening day of free agency this week. The acquisition addresses a critical need for the Cowboys, who have been rebuilding their pass rush since trading young star Micah Parsons to Green Bay for two first-round picks before last season began.
According to Jones, the team is “pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are” regarding their defensive roster construction. Nevertheless, he maintained flexibility by not completely closing the door on a potential Maxx Crosby trade, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of NFL personnel decisions.
Defensive Overhaul Continues in Dallas
The Cowboys are undertaking a comprehensive defensive rebuild after fielding one of the NFL’s worst units last season. The organization hired Christian Parker as its third defensive coordinator in three years, following disappointing stints by Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus, both of whom lasted just one season each.
Additionally, Dallas has been active in secondary upgrades, signing safeties Jalen Thompson, who spent six seasons with Arizona, and P.J. Locke. The team created salary cap flexibility by trading defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco for a third-round pick this year, despite Odighizuwa signing an $80 million four-year extension in 2024.
Salary Cap Management Drives Roster Decisions
The Odighizuwa trade was partially motivated by salary cap constraints, as Dallas had accumulated three defensive tackles with contracts averaging at least $20 million annually. The Parsons trade to Green Bay brought defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas, and the Cowboys subsequently used one of their acquired first-round picks to obtain star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets.
Meanwhile, the team placed the $27.3 million franchise tag on receiver George Pickens and faces a July 15 deadline to negotiate a long-term deal with the wide receiver. Jones acknowledged the need to “spread it around a little bit” regarding salary cap allocation, balancing investments across multiple positions while maintaining draft flexibility.
Gary Acquisition Provides Proven Production
Rashan Gary brings consistent edge rusher production to Dallas, having recorded at least 7.5 sacks in four of the past five seasons. However, the 28-year-old veteran experienced a second-half drought in 2025, failing to register any sacks after the midseason mark.
In contrast to his late-season struggles, Gary started the 2025 campaign strong, leading the NFL with 4.5 sacks through three weeks. The Cowboys are hoping to replicate that early-season form throughout an entire campaign as they seek defensive improvement under Parker’s new 3-4 base scheme.
Jones expressed optimism about the defensive transformation, stating the unit has “nowhere but up to go” and predicting the Cowboys will “almost assuredly be much better” in 2025. The combination of coaching changes, scheme adjustments, and personnel upgrades represents Dallas’s commitment to returning to playoff contention after a disappointing season.
The Cowboys will continue evaluating their roster through the remainder of free agency and into the draft, where they hold two first-round selections. Whether Dallas ultimately revisits trade talks for Maxx Crosby remains uncertain, dependent on how free agency unfolds and what opportunities emerge before the draft.
