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6 hours ago
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The Dallas Cowboys spent much of the offseason searching for ways to strengthen their defense, and owner Jerry Jones was at the center of one of the team's most ambitious pursuits.
Dallas made a strong push for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby, reportedly submitting multiple trade offers in an effort to land one of the NFL's premier edge rushers.
The move ultimately never materialized. A deal that would have sent Crosby elsewhere fell apart after concerns surfaced during a physical, allowing the Raiders to keep their defensive cornerstone.
Even so, Jones never completely shut the door on revisiting the idea in the future, which has kept the conversation alive across the league.
Crosby remains one of the most impactful defenders in football. Despite battling injuries that eventually led to knee surgery, he still finished last season with 10 sacks and 73 tackles.
Players with that level of production rarely become available, which is why teams continue to monitor his situation closely.
ESPN's Dan Graziano recently suggested that the possibility of a future trade should not be dismissed. "Crosby might stick with the Raiders all year at this point, but if he's going to get traded at all, we're probably looking at something in-season ahead of the deadline," Graziano said.
His comments are particularly relevant for Dallas given the organization's previous interest and Jones' well-known willingness to pursue marquee talent when he believes it can elevate the team.
Graziano also pointed to several potential suitors that could emerge if Crosby becomes available again. "If a team such as the Cowboys, Bills, Bears or Patriots finds itself in contention and in need of an impact pass rusher, things could get interesting here again," he added.
Much of the equation depends on how the Raiders perform. If Las Vegas struggles and falls out of the playoff picture, the franchise could face difficult decisions about its long-term direction. In that scenario, acquiring draft capital for a veteran star could become an attractive option.
For the Cowboys, the key figure remains Jones. Dallas has already shown significant interest in Crosby, and any renewed pursuit would likely require Jones to authorize another major asset investment.
While the price could be steep, the calculus changes if the Cowboys establish themselves as serious contenders during the season.
Should Dallas find itself in the playoff hunt with a need for additional pass-rush help, Jones could once again emerge as a central figure in the Crosby market.
Nothing is imminent, but the combination of the Cowboys' previous interest, Jones' aggressive approach, and Graziano's assessment ensures the possibility remains worth watching.
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