The Dallas Cowboys are once again at the center of the NFL’s offseason rumor mill, thanks to owner Jerry Jones’s refusal to slam the door shut on a potential pursuit of Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. As the league’s free agency period continues to unfold, the Cowboys’ defensive strategy—and the lingering Crosby saga—have become the talk of football circles across the country.
It’s been an eventful few weeks for the Cowboys, who are coming off a disappointing 7-9-1 campaign in 2025 that saw them miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The front office wasted little time in reshaping the roster, franchise tagging wide receiver George Pickens and completing a trade for Pro Bowl defensive end Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers. Yet, despite these moves, all eyes remain fixed on the possibility of Crosby donning the star in Dallas.
The Crosby drama took an unexpected turn earlier this March. The Raiders had agreed to send the five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027—a blockbuster deal that sent shockwaves throughout the league. But just as quickly as the trade materialized, it unraveled. Crosby failed his physical in Baltimore due to concerns about his surgically repaired knee, prompting the Ravens to back out and leaving the edge rusher’s future in limbo.
With Crosby suddenly back on the market, speculation ran wild. Dallas, which had reportedly offered a first- and second-round pick for Crosby before balking at the Raiders’ price of two first-rounders, was instantly linked to renewed talks. Yet, the Cowboys’ leadership has maintained a cautious tone. Speaking at an event in Arlington, Texas, on March 12, Jerry Jones addressed the swirling rumors: “We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are. So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out.” According to The Athletic’s Jon Machota, Jones’s comments left the door slightly ajar for a future move, but also signaled the team’s satisfaction with its current direction.
Crosby himself attempted to calm the waters with a social media post on March 12, declaring, “I’m a Raider. I’m back.” The message, brief but emphatic, seemed to reaffirm his commitment to Las Vegas—at least for now. Still, as any seasoned NFL observer knows, offseason declarations can be fleeting. In the words of one columnist, “doors rarely close completely” in the NFL, and Jones’s history of bold, last-minute moves keeps fans and analysts guessing.
The Cowboys’ approach this offseason appears to be one of calculated urgency. After missing out on Crosby, Dallas pivoted quickly, acquiring Rashan Gary for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Gary, who made the Pro Bowl in 2024, arrives with a reputation as a relentless pass rusher and is expected to help fill the void left by outgoing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 third-round selection. Veteran lineman Solomon Thomas was also sent to the Tennessee Titans in a late-round pick swap, further signaling a defensive reset in Dallas.
“I feel very good about it,” Jones told reporters. “We have nowhere but up to go on defense. That’s not anyone’s fault at all. But we’re going to almost assuredly be much better. And I’m betting on us improving on offense. That ought to get us with a better feeling when we get into December.” The Cowboys have also added safety Jalen Thompson, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, and signed cornerback Cobie Durant, who led the NFL in playoff interceptions and deflections with the Los Angeles Rams.
Despite these additions, the Cowboys have not been especially active in the first wave of free agency, choosing instead to make targeted moves and preserve salary cap flexibility. Jones addressed this strategy directly: “I think we’re within the boundaries of what we have available, what we’re trying to accomplish with draft picks and with (salary) cap. I wouldn’t try to revisit or try to redo what we’ve done on either that cap or the trades we’ve made. I like what we got.”
Elsewhere in the league, player movement has been brisk. Quarterback Kyler Murray, a former Dallas-Fort Worth product, signed with the Minnesota Vikings, while Dre Greenlaw re-upped with the San Francisco 49ers. Former Cowboys defensive lineman Al-Quadin Muhammad inked a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile, the NFL is reportedly exploring the addition of a new Wednesday night “Thanksgiving Eve” game for the 2026 season, potentially reshaping the league’s holiday schedule and giving fans yet another marquee event to circle on their calendars.
Back in Dallas, the focus remains on rebuilding a defense that ranked among the franchise’s worst last season. The failed pursuit of Crosby, while disappointing for some fans, has not derailed the Cowboys’ plans. Instead, the team has doubled down on its commitment to internal improvement and shrewd roster management. Rashan Gary, for his part, has embraced the challenge, telling Cowboy Nation he’s ready to “play for some trophies.” The addition of Thompson and Durant should bolster a secondary that struggled mightily in 2025, while the presence of second-year pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku offers further hope for a defensive turnaround.
Of course, the Crosby question lingers. With 439 tackles and 69.5 sacks to his name, the 28-year-old edge rusher remains one of the league’s premier talents when healthy. His failed physical in Baltimore has raised legitimate concerns about his long-term durability and market value, prompting some to wonder whether he’s still worth the two first-round picks the Raiders once demanded. For now, Dallas appears unwilling to meet that price, especially after already passing on such a package earlier in the offseason.
Still, as Jones’s comments make clear, the possibility of a blockbuster move remains alive—however faintly. “So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out,” he reiterated. For Cowboys fans, that sliver of hope is enough to keep the rumor mill churning, especially as the NFL Draft approaches and teams jockey for position.
As the dust settles on another frenetic week in NFL free agency, the Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads. Their defense is in the midst of a major overhaul, their owner remains as unpredictable as ever, and the specter of Maxx Crosby continues to hover over the franchise. Whether Dallas ultimately makes another run at the star edge rusher or sticks to its current blueprint, one thing is certain: in Jerry Jones’s world, the door is never truly closed.