Cowboys and Commanders Gear Up for Showdown Over Superstar Pass-Rusher Maxx Crosby

The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders are positioning themselves as front-runners in what could become the biggest trade move of the NFL offseason, both clubs targeting Las Vegas Raiders standout edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

Crosby, who has established himself as one of the most disruptive forces in professional football, is coming off a season in which he hit double-digit sacks for the fourth time in his career, logging 73 total tackles and forcing two fumbles. The 28-year-old has been the cornerstone of the Raiders defense since being drafted, but with Las Vegas entering what appears to be a full-scale rebuild, multiple first-round picks for a player in his prime may prove too tempting to pass up.

Bleacher Report analyst Gary Davenport identified the former Eastern Michigan star as an ideal fit for Dallas, which managed only 35 sacks as a team during the 2025-26 season. The Cowboys pass rush has been a glaring weakness, and owner Jerry Jones has left the door open for a blockbuster acquisition, publicly acknowledging that a trade remains possible while cautioning that a deal is unlikely to materialize immediately.

The intrigue deepened at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine when Raiders general manager John Spytek publicly stated the team had no intention of dealing Crosby, only for news to surface shortly after that Las Vegas had agreed to send him to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a pair of first-round selections. That move collapsed when Crosby failed his physical with the Ravens, with subsequent reports suggesting Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta had second thoughts upon realizing they could pursue Trey Hendrickson for over 10 million dollars less per season while retaining their draft capital.

The failed trade leaves the Raiders in a complicated position. Questions linger over the long-term health of Crosbys knee following surgery, which could narrow the pool of interested teams. Even so, Davenport argues that a reduced offer, perhaps a first-round pick paired with a second-rounder, would be worth considering for a franchise looking to restock during a transition period.

Washington, meanwhile, has shown aggressive appetite for upgrades under its new leadership regime and could present a compelling case to Las Vegas. The Commanders addressed several needs through the draft and free agency last cycle but adding a player of Crosbys caliber on the edge would signal genuine intent to compete at the highest level in the NFC.

For now, the race to acquire one of the leagues most feared pass rushers appears to be a two-team affair. Whether the Cowboys can convince the Raiders to part ways with a player who has become synonymous with their defensive identity, or whether Washington steals in with a stronger offer, remains to be seen. One thing is certain: when a player of Crosbys caliber becomes available, the entire league watches.