It’s impossible to know exactly what Jerry Jones’ comments on Maxx Crosby meant during the Dallas Cowboys’ opening training camp press conference. But him saying the Cowboys “did not walk away” from Crosby combined with him admitting he’d give up a top pick to improve this year’s team has people talking about a potential trade brewing.

But Crosby is a Las Vegas Raiders star and it’s clear they’re not willing to deal him on the cheap. So what do the Cowboys need to give up if they indeed intend to pursue him? Let’s start with what the Crosby market looked like back in March.

Cowboys previous trade offers

Before the Baltimore Ravens won the Crosby sweepstakes with an offer featuring two first-round picks, the Cowboys were right in the thick of it. In fact, the offers made by the Cowboys during that process were surprisingly high.

Here’s a look at the three known offers Jerry Jones and Co. made to the Raiders earlier in the year:

• First offer
  • Pick No. 20 overall
  • DT Osa Odighizuwa
• Second offer
  • Pick No. 12 overall
  • Third-round pick (presumably for 2027 since Dallas didn’t have a third-round pick this year at the time)
• Third offer
  • Pick No. 12 overall
  • Second-round pick (presumably for 2027 for the same reason)

If there’s one thing you can take away from the above is the Cowboys really liked the idea of going after Crosby, which adds some weight to the “we did not walk away” comments by Jerry.

Crosby should cost less today

In terms of today, however, I think the above offers set the table for a slightly lower offer. Why? The Raiders lost some leverage after the Ravens walked away from the deal following his physical.

Secondly, well, the physical itself. It raised questions in Baltimore. Will other NFL teams be scared away as a result? A trade would still be contingent on a physical, of course, but it would be a bad look for a front office to take this risk and have it blow up on its face after the Ravens walked away.

Jones said Tuesday they understood the injury well, suggesting they weren’t discouraged by what the Ravens found in their evaluations—in which Cowboys head physician Dr. Dan Cooper was involved. Considering the front office has historically been willing to take risks with players with an injury history, they should still be comfortable giving up a premium pick.

Not to mention, the Ravens’ concern was more about Crosby’s long-term outlook than his short-term availability. Based on Jones’ comments from Tuesday, the Cowboys view themselves as contenders today.

What is the Raiders’ stance?

This makes sense for the Cowboys. But what about for the Raiders, who have seemingly committed to having Crosby back in the fold? I reached out to our own A to Z Sports Las Vegas’ Justin Churchill for his read on the situation.

“The Las Vegas Raiders likely don’t want to trade Maxx Crosby,” Churchill says. “But that doesn’t mean he’s unavailable. For the right price, any team could probably land him. The Raiders are in a rebuild, and more assets to help that rebuild, the better. They would need at least a first round pick.

“I’m sure John Spytek would stand firm on two first round picks because he doesn’t have to trade Crosby. However, I’m not sure anyone will send that. They would need at least one first and a second, and maybe a decent player. The edge rusher room outside of him, Kwity Paye, and rookie Keyron Crawford, the room is bleak. Some depth and possibly a guy who could step up in a rotational role would be great.”

So, what would it take?

I think Churchill hit the nail in the head. The Raiders don’t have to trade Crosby. So even if the Raiders have less leverage than they did in March when the Ravens were offering a couple of first-round picks, it doesn’t mean they’re going to take the best deal out there.

It has to be strong enough for them to move on.

Also, Jones said he’d be willing to part ways with “a top pick.” Singular. I think the most the Cowboys would do is offer a first-round pick (the lower of their 2027 first-round pick since the highest is going to the New York Jets) and a player. I wouldn’t expect said player to be a standout starter like George Pickens, though.

From the Raiders’ point of view, that may not be enough, which could very well be what ultimately holds this whole thing back.

For now, Cowboys fans can keep hoping. If this team does land Crosby in the end, we may end up saying some crazy things about this football team.