Jerry Jones is still keeping a close eye on Maxx Crosby, refusing to slam the door on a potential blockbuster move that would bring the Las Vegas Raiders’ star defensive end to Big D.
Speaking with reporters Friday at an event promoting the upcoming IndyCar series race at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys owner addressed the persistent rumors surrounding the five-time Pro Bowler.
While the Cowboys have already been active this offseason, Jones made it clear that he is staying flexible as the 2026 roster takes shape.
“We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are,” Jones told Jon Machota of The Athletic.
So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out.
The bidding war that wasn’t
The Cowboys were reportedly on the 1-yard line of a deal for Crosby earlier this offseason. Dallas had allegedly offered a package including a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. However, the Baltimore Ravens initially won the bidding war with an offer of two first-rounders.
In a shocking turn of events, the Ravens ultimately backed out of the deal, leaving Crosby committed to the Raiders once again. Despite the return to Vegas, the prevailing belief across the league is that the Crosby trade saga is far from over-and the Cowboys remain the most logical destination.
Jones’ interest in Crosby comes on the heels of a 2025 season where the Dallas defense struggled significantly. The owner was candid about the unit’s performance but expressed optimism for the upcoming year.
“I feel very good about it,” Jones said. “We have nowhere but up to go on defense. That’s not anyone’s fault at all. But we’re going to almost assuredly be much better. And I’m betting on us improving on offense. That ought to get us with a better feeling when we get into December.”
Jones is building a “Dream” front
The Cowboys have already taken aggressive steps to fix the defense this spring:
- Rashan Gary: Acquired via trade to bolster the pass rush.
- Jalen Thompson: Signed to anchor the secondary.
While these moves provide a solid foundation, the prospect of pairing Crosby with a talent like Quinnen Williams remains the ultimate “dream” scenario for the Dallas front office.
Adding a disruptive force like Crosby would transform the Cowboys’ defensive line into one of the most feared units in the NFC as they look to wash away the memories of last season.
Read the full article here
