For weeks, rumors have been swirling around the Dallas Cowboys’ potential pursuit of Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby ahead of the November 4 trade deadline. But according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, team owner Jerry Jones is shutting that down firmly.
Are the Cowboys Banking Too Much on Internal Growth?
Jones confirmed that while the Cowboys are exploring trade possibilities ahead of the deadline, they had not contacted the Raiders regarding Maxx Crosby, according to Russini’s report.
Instead of chasing a splashy trade, Jones indicated his focus lies elsewhere. When asked who he’d add if given the chance, he grinned and answered, “I would say, without incriminating any area of it, it would be a defensive player. But not a pass rusher.”
While the Cowboys have signaled that they’re open for business ahead of the trade deadline, Jerry Jones told me they never reached out about Maxx Crosby.
So I asked Jones if he could add one player right now, who would it be?
His response: https://t.co/6oUQniX8Wc pic.twitter.com/xtZ7SO6oce
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 25, 2025
That remark alone signals where the Cowboys’ priorities truly rest, not on another edge threat, but on internal improvement.
The context behind Jones’ restraint is critical. The Cowboys have spent much of this season coping with the loss of Micah Parsons, the franchise cornerstone turned Arizona Cardinal following an offseason trade.
Russini noted that when she brought up Parsons’ “monster game in Arizona,” Jones hardly flinched. “I expected that,” he said. “When I made the trade, I thought both sides would do well, us with (defensive tackle Kenny) Clark and the picks, and him up there.”
Jones dismissed any suggestion that the move was personal or financially motivated. “The numbers got Micah,” he told Russini. “Not me. He’s elite, but we were better off with numbers of players. It had nothing to do with contracts or agents.”
It’s a pragmatic stance from an owner often accused of chasing star power, but it also reveals his deeper faith in the team-building math dictated by the salary cap.
For all the talk of splash moves, Jones believes the Cowboys’ defensive woes can be solved internally. He even voiced support for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, shutting down speculation about coaching changes. It’s a sign of confidence in continuity, even as the Cowboys sit at 3-3-1, balancing frustration with optimism.
Beyond the big-name moves, Jones highlighted what’s quietly working, particularly on offense. With Dak Prescott performing “at an MVP level,” Russini pointed to the stabilizing impact of leadership in handling volatile personalities like receiver George Pickens. Jones called Dak “a Pied Piper… That’s real leadership.”
As the Cowboys prepare for a crucial matchup in Denver with a chance to climb above .500 for the first time in over a year, Jones’ message is clear: no panic, no blockbusters, and no Crosby. The Cowboys’ path forward, in his mind, is built from within, a bet that could define their season.
