Cowboys Trade For Maxx Crosby? Rumors Return As 'Bidding War' Competition Grows

The Dallas Cowboys made three separate trade offers for Maxx Crosby in March. None were enough. The Baltimore Ravens beat them to an agreement with the Las Vegas Raiders ... though the trade was eventually cancelled ... and with Crosby's name circulating in trade rumors again, Dallas could be headed toward a familiar problem.If the Cowboys want another shot at the five-time Pro Bowler, they might have to outbid the rest of the league.Las Vegas has lost four straight games after starting 3-0, falling to 3-4 ahead of the November 10 trade deadline. That has revived questions about whether the Raiders would consider moving their biggest defensive star.Dallas' previous pursuit wasn't subtle.According to our reporting at the time, the Cowboys offered Las Vegas the No. 20 pick in the 2026 draft and Osa Odighizuwa, then No. 12 and a third-rounder, before finishing with No. 12 and a second-rounder.Three packages. Three unsuccessful attempts.Baltimore ultimately agreed to send two first-round picks before concerns about Crosby's knee derailed the deal. Dallas was willing to pay a substantial price — another team was simply willing to pay more.The difference between a first and second and two firsts isn't a minor negotiating detail. It's the difference between being in the conversation and getting the deal done.And the next competition could be crowded.Jason La Canfora reported Wednesday that a longtime NFL personnel executive knows of several teams weighing potential offers. An active general manager also told La Canfora he doubts Las Vegas would accept less than the two first-rounders Baltimore offered.That's not confirmation of an active bidding war. But it does suggest Dallas shouldn't count on negotiating alone or landing Crosby at a discount.There is precedent for broader interest, too. The Rams, Eagles and 49ers reportedly expressed interest after Baltimore's deal collapsed, although Crosby claimed he wanted to remain in Las Vegas. CBS Sports has since identified Chicago, Detroit and Buffalo as potential fits.Chicago sits at 5-2 and could use another established pass rusher. Detroit could pair Crosby with Aidan Hutchinson, while Buffalo has its own reasons to seek help up front. None has been confirmed as a current bidder, but Dallas' March interest won't guarantee it priority if the Raiders open negotiations.And Crosby continues to offer plenty of reasons for teams to call.By the numbers, he's got three sacks and his 25 quarterback pressures through seven games ranked second in the NFL.Oh, and even after the knee surgery, he's playing 86 percent of the Raiders' snaps.And we know his history: At 29, he's got 71 career sacks and his 136 tackles for loss since 2019 were the most in the league over that span.The Cowboys could use that production. Crosby wouldn't solve every issue with a struggling defensive front, but he'd change the way opponents prepare for it.Even after Monday's 38-21 win over Philadelphia, Dallas has allowed 1,020 rushing yards through seven games while recording only seven sacks. Crosby would provide defensive coordinator Christian Parker with a proven threat against the pass and run.READ MORE: What's The Cowboys' 'Identity'? Win Over Eagles Reveals Major Change In PhilosophyBut the need is obvious. The ability to pay is considerably less straightforward.Dallas owes the Jets the better of its two 2027 first-round picks from the Quinnen Williams trade, leaving it with the less favorable selection between its own and Green Bay's. The Cowboys also sent their 2027 third-rounder to Pittsburgh for Broderick Jones and a 2028 second-rounder for Joey Porter Jr.That leaves Dallas with fewer premium assets to build an offer, even with a remaining 2027 first-rounder and its 2028 first. If the Raiders insist on a package approaching Baltimore's, the Cowboys would have to consider spending another significant piece of their future.Crosby's contract adds to that commitment. Over the Cap lists a fully guaranteed $29 million base salary for 2027 — a substantial obligation on top of the trade compensation.There are always ways to make the money work. But if they pull off a deal like this? Dallas wouldn't just be adding a pass rusher for the stretch run. It would be making another expensive bet that hurts its future.That's another issue here: Do the 2026 Cowboys promise to be good enough to merit sacrificing huge future pieces?READ MORE: Jerry Jones Talks Trade Odds As Cowboys Make 2 Roster MovesOf course, Las Vegas doesn't have to trade him at all. ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested Monday that the chatter has cooled and questioned whether another club would surrender two first-round picks. Crosby remains the face of the Raiders, and the failed Baltimore deal could complicate any future negotiations.Dallas has already shown it will make an aggressive offer. But if Crosby actually becomes available, other teams could force the Cowboys to choose between protecting what's left of their draft capital and landing the defensive difference-maker they wanted in March.Three packages weren't enough when Dallas had more assets to offer. Crosby's price was steep seven months ago ... and the Cowboys now have fewer ways to pay it.If another bidding war develops, being "aggressive'' might only be the starting point. And it still might not be enough.But if the Dallas cost is really two first-round picks? There is a great argument to be made that this particular edition of the Cowboys should go ahead and lose the bidding war.