As the 2026 NFL offseason gets underway, four teams stand out as needing serious help on the edge: the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions. Each franchise faces its own set of challenges when it comes to pressuring opposing quarterbacks - and each could be eyeing a potential blockbuster move to fix it.
Let’s break it down, team by team.
Dallas Cowboys: Filling the Parsons-Sized Void
The Cowboys made a bold move when they traded away Micah Parsons - and they’ve yet to truly replace his production. That’s not a one-man job, either. Dallas needs multiple impact players on the edge to restore the bite to Dan Quinn’s pass rush (assuming Quinn stays, or his successor keeps that aggressive DNA).
The Cowboys have the capital - three first-round picks over the next two years - and they’ve already shown interest in Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby prior to the trade deadline. With Jerry Jones reportedly motivated to revamp the defense, Dallas could be the most aggressive suitor if Crosby becomes available.
And if they land him? That front seven suddenly becomes a whole lot scarier.
San Francisco 49ers: Bosa Needs a Running Mate
The Niners’ defense has long been feared, but in 2025, their pass rush fell off a cliff - finishing dead last in sacks by a significant margin. That’s a red flag for a team with championship aspirations.
Joey Bosa remains the anchor, but after tearing his ACL, his availability and effectiveness heading into 2026 are question marks. San Francisco needs to add a legitimate threat on the opposite side, someone who can take pressure off Bosa and keep offensive lines honest.
Trading for Crosby would be a splash, but it might not align with their long-term strategy. The Niners have been looking to retool rather than go all-in, and giving up draft picks for a high-priced edge rusher doesn’t exactly fit that mold. Still, if they believe their Super Bowl window is open - and with that roster, it just might be - all bets are off.
New England Patriots: A Roster Ready to Win Now
The Patriots are in an intriguing spot. Harold Landry is under contract, but K’Lavon Chaisson is a free agent, and even if he returns, expecting him to replicate his breakout 2025 season might be wishful thinking.
New England looks poised to be aggressive this offseason. Their roster is talented, their Super Bowl window is wide open, and bringing in a game-wrecker like Crosby could be the final piece.
There’s also this: if the Raiders do grant Crosby some say in where he lands - and all offers are relatively equal - the Patriots could have the inside track. Playing under Mike Vrabel, a defensive-minded coach with a winning pedigree, might be exactly the kind of situation Crosby wants at this stage of his career.
Detroit Lions: A Tempting Fit, But an Unlikely Splash
On paper, Crosby lining up opposite Aidan Hutchinson is a dream scenario for Detroit. Al-Quadin Muhammad had a career-high 11 sacks last season, but he’s a pending free agent - and even if he returns, banking on a repeat performance is risky.
The Lions are in the thick of a Super Bowl window, but GM Brad Holmes hasn’t shown much interest in swinging big at the edge position. That makes Detroit the least likely of the four teams to make a move for Crosby, even if the fit is tantalizing.
The Crosby Factor
The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a new era, likely drafting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. That sets up a rebuild timeline that doesn’t exactly align with Maxx Crosby, who’s in his prime and under contract for four more years on a $106.5 million deal.
Crosby’s relationship with the franchise took a hit late last season when he was shut down for the final two games - a decision that didn’t sit well with him. That move came under former head coach Pete Carroll, who’s since been fired, but the damage may already be done.
Whether or not Crosby formally requests a trade, the writing may be on the wall. He’s a perennial Pro Bowler stuck on a team that hasn’t been able to win. With a new regime and a rookie quarterback likely incoming, the Raiders could decide it’s time to part ways - especially if they can get a haul of picks in return.
Who’s the Favorite?
If all four teams make a serious push, the Cowboys look like the frontrunner. They have the draft capital, the need, and the motivation.
The Patriots are close behind, with a win-now roster and a coach Crosby would likely respect. The 49ers are a dark horse - unlikely, but not out of the picture.
And the Lions? As much fun as that pairing would be, history tells us not to expect a splash from Detroit in this department.
One thing’s for sure: if Crosby is on the move, he’ll have no shortage of suitors. And if he lands in the right spot, he could be the difference-maker that tips the balance of power in 2026.