If the Dallas Cowboys were serious about landing Maxx Crosby before last year’s trade deadline, they might be getting a second shot-this time with much more smoke behind the fire.
According to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, Crosby may be headed for a split with the Las Vegas Raiders after tensions flared late in the 2025 season. The Pro Bowl edge rusher, known for his relentless motor and leadership on the field, reportedly became frustrated when the Raiders shut him down before the season ended. And based on Glazer’s conversation with Crosby, the frustration wasn't minor-it sounded like a full-blown fallout.
“Man, screw these guys. They’re shutting me down.
I am not about this. Hell, no.
I’m not doing it. I left the facility.
I’m out. I want to get traded.
I’m done,” Glazer recalled Crosby saying during a call, adding that he was trying to talk him off the ledge.
When asked directly if he thought Crosby was finished in Las Vegas, Glazer didn’t hesitate: “I do.”
That’s a strong statement about one of the league’s premier pass rushers, and it opens the door for teams like the Cowboys to make a serious push. Dallas, of course, has been hunting for ways to bolster its defense, particularly off the edge. And with Micah Parsons already anchoring one side of the line, pairing him with Crosby would create one of the most dangerous pass-rushing duos in the NFL.
But let’s pump the brakes before penciling Crosby into a Cowboys uniform just yet.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport offered a more measured outlook on the situation. Speaking with Q Myers of Unnecessary Roughness, Rapoport said he doesn’t believe the Raiders will get a return similar to what Dallas gave up for Parsons-a blockbuster deal that included two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark.
“It’s not going to be Micah Parsons [compensation] because [Parsons] was younger,” Rapoport said. “But a late first-round pick would be real.”
That’s a fair assessment. Crosby is a dominant force, no doubt, but he’s also a few years older than Parsons was when he was moved, and that matters when you’re talking about long-term investment and value. Still, Rapoport acknowledged that a deal could make sense for the Raiders-if they approach it strategically.
“You're not going to replace Maxx Crosby, even if you hit on a great pass rusher,” Rapoport explained. “What you do is replace him with a player and then use the money to go get other good players and really build up the foundation of the team.”
That’s the kind of roster-building logic that front offices live by. Trade a star, reinvest the cap space, and hope your scouting department can hit on a few picks. It's not easy, but for a team like the Raiders-who already hold the No. 1 overall pick-it might be the right time to reset.
As for Dallas, they’re well-positioned to make a move if they want to. The Cowboys hold three first-round picks over the next two drafts, including two this year. That kind of draft capital gives them flexibility, and with owner Jerry Jones reportedly eager to make a splash this offseason, the pieces are there for a potential blockbuster.
Improving the defense is a major priority in Dallas, especially after a season that saw the team fall short in the playoffs once again. Adding a proven edge rusher like Crosby could shift the balance, especially in a conference loaded with elite quarterbacks.
But here’s the catch: Crosby holds some leverage. The Raiders are expected to work with him on a potential trade destination, and it’s widely believed he wants to land with a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Right now, the Cowboys don’t quite fit that bill.
They’ve got talent, no doubt. Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, and Dak Prescott headline a roster built to compete.
But until Dallas proves it can get over the postseason hump, it’s hard to call them a true title favorite. And that could be a sticking point if Crosby is prioritizing a ring chase.
Still, if the Cowboys want to make a statement-and finally push past the playoff ceiling that’s haunted them for years-swinging big for Maxx Crosby might be the move that changes everything. The question is whether they’re willing to pay the price-and whether Crosby sees Dallas as the kind of place where he can finish what he started in Vegas.