UPDATE: Since the publishing of this article, NFL Network insiders Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater provided additional clarity by reporting on the Las Vegas Raiders’ side of things. Per the report, the Raiders met with Crosby to let him know he’s not being traded.

“While other teams are interested, the Raiders aren’t interested in moving their best player, and Crosby wants to stay in Las Vegas,” Pelissero posted on X.

On the Dallas Cowboys’ day off, the NFL news cycle was all about them as soon as insider Trey Wingo reported they “made inquiries” about Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

At 3-3-1, the Cowboys are expected to be buyers ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline given the ambivalence of their squad. On one hand, they’ve got one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. On the other, their defense is ranked 30th in EPA/play and it’s got issues versus the pass and run alike. They need help.

But Crosby’s name being thrown into the ring was unexpected in a number of levels. Firstly, Crosby is one of the premier names among NFL pass rushers and he signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension in January. He’s mostly expected to stay in Vegas. Secondly, this is not the kind of move the Jerry Jones-led Cowboys make. The “Gambler” you saw in the Netflix show is no more. Nowadays, the Cowboys run a “draft and develop” program where splashes are kept at a minimum.

So, what should you know and what can we realistically expect from the Cowboys-Crosby story taking the league by storm? Let’s break it down, starting by looking at the conflicting reports, and the cases for why it makes (and doesn’t) make sense.

Did the Cowboys really reach out to the Raiders?

The truth is: We don’t know. I’m sorry for the lukewarm response but conflicting reports have quickly made things very blurry.

Here’s what we do know. Wingo, a credible NFL insider, reported the Cowboys “made inquiries with the Raiders about a potential trade for Maxx Crosby.” The wording is important because this isn’t a negotiation taking place. They’re not haggling on the car’s price, they’re asking if it’s even for sale.

On the other hand, local Cowboys insiders like 105.3 The Fan’s Bryan Broaddus and NFL Network’s Jane Slater have gone against Wingo’s report, indicating conversations haven’t even taken place.

“On the Cowboys’ end of it, this appears to be news to them,” Broaddus said on the radio.

Slater added to Broaddus’ comments via social media saying: “That does seem to be the case based on my [conversations].”

However, the Cowboys have been more unpredictable in 2025 than in years past. The George Pickens trade took people by surprise in May. Micah Parsons rumors were also met with question marks in the local beat before the Green Bay Packers landed him. So right now, it’s just a matter of where the smoke is coming from. And how much fire there is to it.

Perhaps the buzz is all about the Cowboys exploring options to add to their defense. Perhaps it’s the Raiders putting a feeler out there for the NFL to know they’re open for business when it comes to Crosby.

Why it makes sense: Cowboys miss Micah Parsons’ production at edge rusher

It makes sense because the Cowboys’ pass rush has been inconsistent and at times, non-existent. Unless defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus blitzes, Dallas is struggling to get to the quarterback. That’s contributed to the worst third-down defense in the NFL.

It also makes sense because you just know Jerry Jones is ready to jump at any opportunity to make himself look like he was right all along about the Parsons trade. He tries to justify it on a weekly basis when talking to the media, often mentioning Kenny Clark unprompted. Adding Crosby would be a good and easy way to tell fans there was always a plan.

Last but not least, Crosby is already under contract through 2029. He’s got a fully guaranteed $30 million salary in 2026, with a renegotiation likely following that year. That means if Dallas gives up the draft picks, they’d be doing so for a player that’s going to be around beyond this season.

Why it doesn’t make sense: The cost could be too high

Are the Raiders even listening to a trade seriously? And if they are, how much are they asking for?

“Owner Mark Davis loves Crosby and wants him to be in silver and black for his entire career,” A to Z Sports Las Vegas’ Justin Churchill wrote. “The only way I could see this happening is if Crosby demands a trade, and even then, the Raiders would want to try and make things work.”

A trade for Crosby likely starts with a first-round draft pick. If it’s a first and a second, are the Cowboys willing to hold one pick in the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft? Remember they gave up their third for Pickens in May. Dallas loves its draft picks. And they don’t love paying large sums of money to an individual, let alone one from “outside” the organization.

Prediction

Anything and everything can happen if the Cowboys feel like this is their best offense in years and that it shouldn’t go to waste. But this feels like a very complicated deal to make happen in October. Maybe Dallas is a buyer at the deadline, I’m just not as confident they’ll aim for one of the most costly options out there.

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