Stephen Jones didn’t name Maxx Crosby, but he didn’t have to.
The Cowboys executive vice president went on 105.3 The Fan this week and made it clear Dallas is still shopping for defensive help. He said the team is looking at multiple paths to improve, including trades and free-agent signings.
“We’ve got several things that we’re considering right now. Some of it trades; some of it signing guys,” Jones said. “A lot of these older players who have still got some tread on the tires can come in here and help you.”
That was enough to set off the usual Cowboys trade buzz, and Crosby immediately jumped back to the center of it. The Raiders edge rusher has been tied to Dallas speculation for months, and Jerry Jones already said the team never completely backed away from Crosby discussions. Stephen Jones’ comments only turned up the volume.
The reaction from fans came fast. Some were already imagining a deal for Crosby, while others started connecting the dots to other veteran names. One fan suggested, “Trade for Maxx and sign Bobby Wagner to mentor DMO & BamBam Barham,” while another floated a bigger package: “I think the Raiders would do Lawrence and next year’s first for Crosby,”
Another post framed the timing as a clue, saying, “My guess is hes weighing between Maxx and Josh sweat. Jerry is flaunting the first round pick for maxx and trying to gain leverage with the possibility of taking Josh sweat instead.
Stephen doesn’t do interviews on Fridays so the timing is interesting. I expect a move very soon,”
Dallas has already spent aggressively to reshape its defense, moving Micah Parsons and adding players such as Quinnen Williams and Rashan Gary. Even after that overhaul, the pass rush and inside linebacker spots still look thin.
That’s why Crosby keeps coming up. He’s one of the league’s most relentless edge defenders, a player who brings constant pressure and never seems to take a snap off. It’s the kind of profile Dallas has been chasing for years.
The Cowboys have been in on Crosby before, too. Earlier reporting laid out multiple offers Dallas made for him, including one that featured a first-round pick. Those talks never fully disappeared, and Jerry Jones later confirmed the team was still pursuing Crosby after another deal fell through.
Stephen Jones stayed away from naming targets on the radio, but he did offer a blunt reminder that the roster is still a work in progress.
“I’d be surprised if the starting players on this defense don’t change over time,” he added.
The timing is worth watching. Training camp is underway, and veteran players who prefer to skip the early stages often become available later in the process.
Jones also specifically mentioned older players who still have something left, which only fueled the speculation further. Bobby Wagner’s name surfaced in that same conversation, along with a few other veteran possibilities.
Still, Crosby is the name that gets the loudest response every time the Cowboys talk trades. Dallas has already shown a willingness to part with draft capital and future assets for proven help. The defense has needed that kind of swing for a while.
The biggest hurdle, of course, is the price. Las Vegas values Crosby highly, and any deal would almost certainly take a major package to get done. That’s why fans keep arguing over whether the fit is worth the cost.
For now, the Cowboys haven’t shut the door. And Stephen Jones made the message plain enough: Dallas is still looking to upgrade that defense.
In Other News...
Cowboys Camp Is Already Sorting Out Whos Rising And Whos In Trouble
The Cowboys wrapped their first week of camp in Oxnard after three helmet-only practices, and the early pecking order already has some familiar names separating themselves. George Pickens has looked comfortable enough alongside Dak Prescott to stand out among the new faces, while DeMarvion Overshowns return has brought both health and a noticeable presence to the defense. Jaydon Blue also made an immediate impression with his burst in the backfield, giving Dallas a few bright spots as the team eases into the summer work.
Not every start was smooth, though, and that is where camp gets revealing for a roster still taking shape. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Tyler Guyton were among the players who ran into some early difficulty during the sessions, which only adds to the sense that these next practices will matter for more than conditioning. With the first week down, the Cowboys are already learning which players look ready to rise and which ones will need a sharper response before the pads start bringing real answers. [Read more 🡒]
Why One Early Cowboys Defender Still Owns A Special Place In History
The Cowboys have had a long line of players cycle through number 27, but the standard for the jersey still goes back to the early days of the franchise. Safety Mike Gaechter, an undrafted free agent in 1962, carved out a career that made him the clear benchmark for the number, thanks in large part to the kind of playmaking that helped define Dallas in its formative years.
Gaechters most memorable moment came on a 100-yard interception return, a play that stood as the longest in team history for nearly half a century. Over eight seasons, he picked off 21 passes before an Achilles injury and a later trade brought his Cowboys run to an end, but his place in the clubs history remains secure whenever the conversation turns to the best to wear 27. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Still Have One Roster Concern Camp Hype Hasn't Answered
The first week of Cowboys training camp has offered enough to feed the optimism that always comes with July, especially with Dak Prescott and George Pickens turning heads early. There has been plenty to like in the building, but the early buzz has also come with the usual reminder that camp headlines can only tell you so much before the work gets harder and the pads come on.
A few of the biggest questions around this roster still need a real test, from the linebacker group to Shavon Revels development and the bigger-picture readiness of the offensive line and pass rush. Those evaluations should start to sharpen once practices intensify and live contact begins, which is when the Cowboys will find out whether the encouraging first impressions are the start of answers or just the opening act. [Read more 🡒]