Jerry Jones says the Dallas Cowboys plan to be aggressive in free agency and open to major trades, with Maxx Crosby firmly in the conversation. For years, Dallas operated conservatively in March.
According to Over The Cap, the Cowboys have spent just $54.75 million on outside free agents since 2020, the lowest total in the NFL during that span.
The Baltimore Ravens invested $74.35 million, while 27 teams surpassed $100 million. The Carolina Panthers led the league at $297 million.
That backdrop makes Jones’ latest comments significant.
“I could see us being aggressive in free agency,” Jones said, pointing to draft positioning and financial structure. He emphasized the cost difference between first- and second-round contracts and noted that Dallas is prepared to allocate meaningful resources.
This represents a potential shift from the franchise’s recent approach.
“I could see us being aggressive in free agency…
Maxx Crosby trade buzz intensifies around the Cowboys
The biggest storyline centers on Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Crosby has never recorded fewer than seven sacks in a full season. His career totals include 69.5 sacks, 278 solo tackles, and 161 assists. In 2025 alone, he posted 10 sacks and an interception in 15 games.
Last season, Dallas stunned the league by trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark. That move effectively reset the market for elite edge rushers. The Raiders are reportedly seeking a comparable framework in any Crosby discussions.
Jones has long admired Crosby’s impact. On 105.3 The Fan, he previously said, “You don’t want to go on his side of the field.”
“And I, by the very virtue of having two number ones, we’re gonna spend more money in the draft than normally you would spend, even though we don’t have the two. Everybody knows those two ones are dramatically different than a two financially. So we’ll spend money…
Around the league, executives view Crosby as a plug-in defensive anchor for a team recalibrating its identity.
Defense is driving the urgency
Dallas already demonstrated a willingness to move pieces. In 2025, the Cowboys added George Pickens, Kenneth Murray, and Kaiir Elam. They later acquired Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson before the trade deadline.
The results were uneven, and defensive consistency remained elusive.
Bleacher Report analyst Gary Davenport floated a scenario in which Dallas could package picks No. 12 and No. 20 to move up to No. 4 in the draft. The proposal reflects how many observers believe the Cowboys have the assets to act.
Jones has publicly raised expectations for a more assertive offseason.
March and April will define the strategy
NFL free agency opens in March, followed by the 2026 NFL Draft in April. Dallas enters that window under renewed scrutiny.
If the Cowboys align spending with their stated ambition, this offseason could mark a clear departure from the measured cycles of recent years. If not, questions about the franchise’s competitive urgency will persist.
Sources: Public statements from Jerry Jones, 105.3 The Fan interview archives, Over The Cap salary database, and publicly reported 2025 NFL transaction data.
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