The Big Move Is Coming
The Dallas Cowboys are looking to shake up their defense before the season ends. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicts a massive trade for edge rusher Maxx Crosby. The plan involves sending Pro Bowl defender Rashan Gary to the Las Vegas Raiders. They would also toss in two future first-round picks to get the deal done.
This isn’t just a rumor. Knox laid out the specific pieces needed for the swap. The deadline is set for November 10. If Dallas wants Crosby, they must act fast. The Raiders might be willing to listen if their season starts to go south. “The Dallas Cowboys have taken an aggressive approach to rebuilding their defense this offseason, and franchise owner Jerry Jones has stated (in July) that he may not be finished making moves,” per reports.
Why would Las Vegas even consider this? The team just drafted a quarterback named Fernando Mendoza with the top overall pick. With a new signal-caller in place, they can look for other help. They might want to sell high on Crosby while his value is still sky high. With Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall secured, Las Vegas will not seek a quarterback in next year’s draft. Still, the team intends to acquire long-term pieces surrounding Mendoza. Musket Fire suggests that trading Crosby, potentially past his prime when the Raiders become contenders, might bring Las Vegas a very strong return.
The High Stakes for Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones is known for making bold moves when he feels the team is ready. This trade would be his biggest gamble yet. He would give up a young, proven star in Gary. He would also bet the farm on two draft picks years down the road. It is a true all-in strategy. “If Dallas looks like a formidable playoff contender by November, trading valuable draft capital (two future first round picks)—along with a proven player like Rashan Gary, who was acquired via trade early in the offseason—to get Crosby could be the sort of all-in move that Jones believes will get him to the Super Bowl,” states Kristopher Knox.
The Cowboys already added Von Miller to help pressure the quarterback. But Miller is older and not the long-term answer. Crosby is a two-time All-Pro who changes how offenses play. “While the Cowboys have since added Von Miller to their pass-rushing rotation, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them make another run at Crosby closer to the trade deadline,” per reports. The Raiders tried to trade Crosby earlier this year but that deal fell through with Baltimore. Now they might have a new buyer.
Rashan Gary is a 2024 Pro Bowler. He is a great player to have. But Crosby might be the difference maker Dallas needs right now. The Cowboys have to watch their own record closely. If they are winning, they can make the offer. If they are losing, they will keep their picks. The Raiders will only sell if they are struggling to compete in late October. The Raiders appear satisfied retaining Crosby following their failed offseason trade with the Baltimore Ravens. Yet Musket Fire notes they might reconsider flipping the 29-year-old if they struggle to compete in late October.
The next few weeks will tell the whole story. Dallas needs to prove they are a real threat. The Raiders need to see their season slipping away. If both things happen, the trade could happen fast. Fans should watch the games in October and early November.
