The Dallas Cowboys will spend the NFL playoffs watching from home and pressure is already mounting on the franchise to make significant moves this offseason to be a contender in the NFC East for 2026. Dallas may need to once again pursue upgrades via the trade market.
Rumors are swirling with one of the NFL’s top players appearing unhappy with his current franchise. The Cowboys are being urged to make a run at Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
With the Raiders jockeying for a top pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Las Vegas made the decision to place the star on injured reserve. Crosby made it clear that he is still healthy enough to play. A window could be opening for the Cowboys to make an aggressive push to strike a blockbuster trade for Crosby.
Let’s dive into the latest Cowboys rumors ahead of a long offseason in Big D.
Cowboys Rumors: Dallas Is Being Urged to Strike Trade for Raiders Star Maxx Crosby
USA Today’s K.D. Drummond suggested a blockbuster trade pitch that has the Cowboys land Crosby. Dallas sends the lesser of their two 2026 first-round picks, pass rusher Osa Odighizuwa and a 2027 third rounder to Las Vegas. In addition to Crosby, the Cowboys also receive a 2027 fifth-round selection.
“Crosby is generally considered in the next tier of pass rushers after (Micah) Parsons and Myles Garrett, far closer than this salary gulf would indicate,” Drummond wrote in a December 27, 2025, story titled, “Cowboys should make trade offer for disgruntled 5x Pro Bowl Raiders star.” “Perhaps his lowered cost would lead a lot more teams into the fray to potentially up the cost of acquisition. Maybe Dallas needs to include the better of their 2026 first rounders; but we’d say giving up both picks would be a questionable strategy.
“Still, a starting defensive line of Crosby, (Quinnen) Williams, (Kenny) Clark and (Donovan) Ezeiruaku would be a ridiculously strong foundation for the Cowboys to begin their offseason overhaul with. The team should begin making phone calls now.”
Tension Between Maxx Crosby & Raiders Has Sparked NFL Trade Rumors
Crosby is on a three-year, $106.5 million contract with the Raiders that is slated to go through 2029, a reasonable deal given his consistent production. The Cowboys signed Osa Odighizuwa to a new four-year, $80 million contract.
The Raiders are clearly trying to tank in an attempt to land a better draft pick. Crosby is not having any of it, and the decision to shut down the star is likely to prompt plenty of trade rumors heading into the offseason.
“Scoopage: Raiders told Maxx Crosby they want to shut him down last two games,” Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer detailed in a December 26, message on X.
“Crosby, who has played with injuries for much of the year, vehemently disagreed and has left the building @nflonfox has learned. This could lead to questions on his future in Vegas.”
The Cowboys will have two first-round picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft to utilize if Dallas wants to get aggressive in the trade market for Crosby or another star. Dallas is projected to have the No. 14 and No. 20 picks as the Cowboys hold the Green Bay Packers‘ selection thanks to the Micah Parsons deal.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Proposed Trade Has Cowboys Land Disgruntled $106 Million Star for $80 Million Starter appeared first on Heavy Sports.