NFL Trade Rumors: Cowboys’ sudden U-turn puts $100M defensive force back on the radar

The Dallas Cowboys need to find solutions following another pathetic year and such a move has already been initiated by the owner Jerry Jones as he tries to restructure the club and get the team back into the playoffs. Dallas ended the campaign of 2025 with a record of 7-9-1, and it is the second consecutive year with no postseason football. For a team that measures success in championships, that kind of record carries pressure. Jones has responded by aggressively exploring trades and free-agency opportunities as the Cowboys try to reset their trajectory.Several early offseason moves show that Dallas is serious about upgrading both sides of the ball. The team placed the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens to keep one of its top offensive weapons in place. On defense, the Cowboys added pass rusher Rashan Gary in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. Yet the front office may not be finished. A potential blockbuster involving star defensive end Maxx Crosby still lingers in the background, even after a complicated sequence of events changed the pass rusher’s immediate future.Crosby’s recent journey has been one of the more unusual stories of the NFL offseason. The standout edge rusher built his reputation with the Las Vegas Raiders after being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Eastern Michigan. Since then, he has developed into one of the league’s most disruptive defenders, piling up 439 tackles and 69.5 sacks while earning five Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors.After the 2025 season, the Raiders attempted to move Crosby in a high-profile deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore reportedly agreed to send two future first-round picks. However, the deal unraveled after Crosby failed his physical examination, forcing the Ravens to cancel the trade and sending the veteran pass rusher back to Las Vegas.Dallas had previously shown interest before that deal surfaced. Reports suggested the Cowboys were willing to offer a first- and second-round pick to land Crosby. Even with the Ravens situation raising questions, Jones has not fully closed the door on the idea of revisiting trade discussions.“We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are," Jones said to the Associated Press. "So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out.”For the Cowboys, the appeal is obvious. Adding Crosby to a defensive front that now includes Gary and promising second-year edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku could transform Dallas into a far more dangerous pass-rushing unit.Whether that scenario actually unfolds remains uncertain. But Jones’ comment suggests one thing clearly. As the Cowboys search for a path back to contention, even the boldest roster moves remain on the table.