🚨 A DREAM SCENARIO EMERGES: Jerry Jones has sparked new optimism among Cowboys fans with comments that are reigniting belief in a blockbuster Maxx Crosby trade. What once felt unrealistic is suddenly being discussed with real momentum, leaving Dallas supporters wondering if a franchise-altering move could actually happen.

Jerry Jones Hints at Blockbuster Trades in 2026 as Cowboys Eye Major Defensive Upgrade

The Dallas Cowboys offseason is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in the NFL, and as usual, Jerry Jones is right at the center of it. The longtime owner and de facto general manager holds more leverage than almost anyone in the league, and during Wednesday’s end-of-season press conference, Jones made it clear that he is not afraid to make bold, franchise-altering decisions.

While Jones didn’t explicitly name targets, his comments strongly suggested that the Cowboys are open to major trades — potentially involving multiple first-round draft picks. One name that immediately comes to mind is Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who has quietly become one of the most closely watched stars on the trade market.

Jerry Jones Leaves the Door Wide Open for a Blockbuster Move

When asked about how the Cowboys might use their draft capital in the upcoming offseason, Jones delivered a quote that instantly set off speculation across the league.

“Don’t think we could do some trading with those two number ones,” Jones said.

In classic Jerry Jones fashion, the phrasing was subtle — but the message was loud. The Cowboys are absolutely willing to trade. And they are not limiting themselves to minor roster tweaks.

This wasn’t a denial. It wasn’t deflection. It was an invitation to imagine something big.

Cowboys Holding Rare Draft Capital in 2026

The Cowboys are in a uniquely powerful position heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dallas already knows it holds the No. 12 overall pick, and its second first-round selection will be determined by playoff results. Having two first-round picks immediately elevates the Cowboys into a rare tier of contenders capable of making aggressive moves without mortgaging their entire future.

In today’s NFL, two first-round picks can be the difference between drafting prospects — or acquiring a proven All-Pro.

Jerry Jones knows that. And so does the rest of the league.

Maxx Crosby Emerges as the Obvious Trade Target

While Jones carefully avoided naming names, Maxx Crosby fits every box of what Dallas could be looking for:

Elite production
Game-changing defensive impact
Proven durability and leadership
Immediate schematic upgrade

Crosby’s name has circulated in trade rumors following a turbulent end to the season with the Las Vegas Raiders, where late-year drama and frustration raised legitimate questions about his long-term future with the franchise.

After being shut down for the final two games of the season, speculation intensified. When elite veterans start missing games on non-contenders, it often signals deeper organizational tension.

Raiders Positioned for a Rebuild — And a Trade Makes Sense

The timing could not be more perfect from Las Vegas’ perspective.

The Raiders currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and appear poised to select a quarterback to anchor a full-scale rebuild. Owner Mark Davis has made no secret of the fact that the franchise is entering a new era.

In that context, trading Crosby would make sense — even if it’s painful.

A deal with Dallas could net the Raiders two additional first-round picks, allowing them to surround their new quarterback with young, cost-controlled talent on both sides of the ball.

Instead of paying top dollar to a veteran pass rusher during a rebuild, Las Vegas could reset its timeline while maximizing Crosby’s value.

Cowboys Have Already Flirted With a Crosby Trade Before

This wouldn’t be a sudden or impulsive idea.

The Cowboys reportedly explored the possibility of acquiring Maxx Crosby before the trade deadline, signaling long-standing interest. What may have stopped a deal midseason — cap logistics, timing, or Raiders’ hesitation — could be resolved during the offseason.

Dallas has a clearer picture of its roster needs now. And the Raiders have a clearer direction.

Those two realities often collide in blockbuster trades.

Why Cowboys Fans Would Prefer Crosby Over Draft Picks

While draft prospects like pass rusher David Bailey or safety Caleb Downs have appeared on early Cowboys mock drafts, it’s safe to say most fans would prefer certainty over projection.

Crosby is not a gamble.

He is a seventh-year All-Pro with one of the most impressive resumes of any defensive player in Raiders history:

133 tackles for loss (most in franchise history)
69.5 career sacks
Consistent double-team attention
Relentless motor and durability

Adding Crosby to the Cowboys’ defense would instantly transform it from solid to terrifying.

Jerry Jones Proud of Defensive Investments — But Crosby Is Different

During the press conference, Jones expressed pride in recent defensive acquisitions like Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. Those moves stabilized the interior and improved run defense.

But Crosby would bring something Dallas currently lacks: a true edge-dominating game-wrecker.

Opposing offenses would be forced to scheme around him. Protections would shift. Quarterbacks would rush throws. And suddenly, the Cowboys’ secondary — which still needs work — would look far more competent simply due to improved pressure up front.

Elite pass rush covers many sins.

Cowboys Still Need Secondary Help — But Pressure Changes Everything

It’s no secret that Dallas must continue upgrading its secondary. However, modern NFL defenses are built from the trenches outward.

With Crosby collapsing pockets and winning one-on-one battles, the Cowboys wouldn’t need perfection on the back end. They’d need competence — and that’s far easier to achieve.

A Crosby trade would instantly raise the defense’s ceiling while buying time to address coverage issues through later draft rounds or value free agents.

What a Crosby Trade Would Say to the NFL

If Jerry Jones pulls the trigger on a deal of this magnitude, the message to the rest of the league would be unmistakable:

The Cowboys are all-in.

Trading two first-round picks for a defensive superstar would signal urgency, ambition, and belief in the current roster. It would confirm that Dallas sees itself not as a rebuilding team — but as a contender one elite piece away.

For a franchise often criticized for caution and half-measures, this would be a defining statement.

Final Thoughts: Jerry Jones Is Clearly Willing to Swing Big

Jerry Jones may not have named Maxx Crosby outright, but his words left little room for interpretation.

The Cowboys have the draft capital.
They have the need.
They have the financial flexibility.
And they have an owner who has never shied away from the spotlight.

Whether it’s Crosby or another All-Pro target, Dallas is clearly exploring major moves this offseason. And if the opportunity presents itself, Jerry Jones has made one thing clear:

He’s ready to pull the trigger.

The question now isn’t if the Cowboys will make a big move — it’s who will be wearing a star on their helmet when they do.