The Dallas Cowboys’ defense hasn’t looked quite the same since they shipped Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers ahead of the 2025 season. Parsons was the heart of that unit-a tone-setter, game-wrecker, and one of the league’s most feared pass rushers. Without him, Dallas has had to rely on a patchwork approach to pressure, and the results have been inconsistent at best.
But there could be a potential answer on the horizon-and his name is Maxx Crosby.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ star edge rusher has long been one of the most relentless forces in the league, and there are growing signs that his time in Vegas might be coming to an end. If Crosby becomes available, expect a feeding frenzy.
Players of his caliber don’t hit the trade market often, and when they do, the price tag is steep. Think first- and second-round picks steep.
And yet, for a team like Dallas, that might be a price worth paying.
Crosby is the kind of player who changes the identity of a defense overnight. He’s not just a sack artist-though he has plenty of those-he’s a high-motor, every-down player who thrives in both the pass rush and run game.
At 29 heading into the 2026 season, he’s still in his prime, and he’s under contract through 2029. That deal includes just $30 million in guarantees remaining, all of which come in 2026, making him an appealing target for teams looking to lock in a long-term defensive anchor without breaking the bank on guaranteed money.
It’s worth noting that the Cowboys received a significant haul when they dealt Parsons-two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Crosby might not fetch quite that much given the age difference, but he’s still one of the premier edge defenders in the NFL. The compensation would be substantial, just not quite Parsons-level.
There’s also a bit of poetic symmetry in the idea of Dallas turning around and acquiring Crosby less than a year after dealing away Parsons. But beyond the narrative, this would be a move grounded in football logic.
The Cowboys still have a top-tier offense, led by a quarterback who can keep them in games and a receiving corps that can stretch the field. What they’re missing is a defensive presence that forces opposing offenses to adjust their game plans.
Crosby could be that guy.
If Dallas is serious about contending again-and not just making the playoffs, but making noise once they’re there-then investing in a player like Crosby makes sense. They’ve got the draft capital.
They’ve got the cap flexibility. What remains to be seen is whether they’re willing to commit long-term to a defensive cornerstone the way they chose not to with Parsons.
The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to the Cowboys to decide if they’re ready to pull the trigger.