The Dallas Cowboys have been floated as a potential landing spot for Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, especially after moving on from Micah Parsons last offseason. Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro, remains one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers after posting 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, and 20 quarterback hits in 2025.
However, the trade is not as easy as being said or speculated, and while speculation has linked Dallas to a blockbuster deal, not everyone believes a trade is the right move. Las Vegas has publicly shown little interest in moving Crosby, but reports suggest a deal could materialize before free agency.
NFL Analyst Makes Case for 4-Time Pro Bowler Over Maxx Crosby Trade
It is certainly going to be a big headache for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to get this blockbuster deal done, as the price would be steep. Dallas would likely need to part with at least one first-round pick, and Crosby carries a huge cap hit of $35,791,250 in 2026.
That financial commitment becomes even more complicated, given that George Pickens is projected to earn $27,298,000 on the franchise tag.
On his latest appearance on “First Things First,” analyst Nick Wright pushed back on the idea of surrendering premium draft capital for Crosby, arguing the Cowboys would be better served targeting a proven veteran in free agency.
“There’s a free agent defensive end who is very used to playing for a team similar to the Cowboys, a lot of offense, just go rush the passer. He was injured at the end of the year,” said Wright. “Trey Hendrickson should be free agent priority No. 1 for them. If not him, maybe Jaelan Phillips, maybe your guy K’Lavon Chaisson or Odafe Oweh.”
Wright’s point centers on roster construction. Dallas fielded one of the league’s most explosive offenses in 2025, but its defense struggled mightily. Adding one star, even one as dominant as Crosby, may not be enough to fix multiple weaknesses at linebacker, safety, and slot corner.
He doubled down on that argument by questioning the logic of replacing Parsons with a similar player, but one who is older and more expensive.
“I just think Maxx Crosby is going to be cost-prohibitive for Dallas. That’s not where I would spend.” Wright added.
He continued, “It would be so illogical to say the Micah Parsons trade was good because you got two first-round picks and saved a bunch of money, only to then, 10 months later, trade two first-round picks and pay a bunch of money for a player who’s slightly worse and slightly older than Micah.”
“That wouldn’t make sense. So sign a defensive end, because I agree with you, they have some pieces there, but they need an impact player. Trey Hendrickson just happens to be the one,” Wright concluded.
Much of this deliberation hinges on Trey Hendrickson’s availability. ESPN insider Adam Schefter recently provided context to Hendrickson’s contract status with the Cincinnati Bengals.
“He is waiting to see whether or not the Bengals place the franchise tag on him today. They have not communicated that to him. He’s waiting to hear. There haven’t been any conversations,” Schefter said.
.@AdamSchefter reports that Trey Hendrickson is waiting to see if he gets franchise tagged 👀
What team should try and get him if he becomes a free agent? 🍿 pic.twitter.com/8ANE18WdT5
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 3, 2026
If Hendrickson reaches the open market, he would represent a high-impact option without the draft compensation required for Crosby. Still, even a tag-and-trade scenario appears uncertain, with no concrete framework reportedly in place.
As free agency approaches, Dallas must weigh immediate star power against long-term flexibility. Whether Jerry Jones opts for a splashy trade or a calculated free agent signing could ultimately define the Cowboys’ 2026 championship hopes.
