![\"Cowboys](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-1435181047-e1767366082535.jpg?quality=65&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
With only one regular-season game remaining<\/strong> and no postseason opportunities<\/strong> on the horizon, the Dallas Cowboys<\/strong> have already shifted their focus toward the future. The disappointment of the 2025 NFL season has accelerated offseason planning, and early signs suggest Dallas could be preparing for aggressive roster changes<\/strong> aimed at retooling the defense.<\/p>\n While the 2026 NFL Draft<\/strong> is still months away\u2014scheduled to begin on April 23<\/strong>\u2014league analysts and insiders are already speculating that the Cowboys could be one of the most active teams when draft weekend arrives. Among the boldest ideas gaining traction is a blockbuster trade proposal involving Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby<\/strong>.<\/p>\n According to K.D. Drummond of Cowboys Wire<\/strong>, Dallas could revisit conversations with the Raiders centered around acquiring Crosby. Drummond proposed a trade framework that would send defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and a future first-round draft pick<\/strong> to Las Vegas in exchange for Crosby.<\/p>\n The concept is straightforward:<\/p>\n Dallas<\/strong> uses surplus draft capital and interior defensive depth to replace the elite edge rusher it previously moved on from in Micah Parsons<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Las Vegas<\/strong> receives multiple building blocks\u2014both immediate help and future assets\u2014aligned with a franchise reset.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Drummond first floated the idea on January 1<\/strong>, noting that circumstances surrounding Crosby and the Raiders have shifted significantly since the trade deadline.<\/p>\n \u201cIt appears there may be an option on the table to acquire a proven edge rusher, and one who fits Schottenheimer\u2019s personality clause; the Raiders\u2019 Maxx Crosby,\u201d Drummond wrote. \u201cCrosby\u2019s relentless motor is well renown, and his dedication to wanting to be on the field every possible snap is only surpassed by the fact he\u2019s an elite talent.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For much of his career, Maxx Crosby<\/strong> has been viewed as untouchable in Las Vegas. A cornerstone of the Raiders\u2019 defense, Crosby embodies toughness, leadership, and relentless effort. However, the conclusion of his 2025 season<\/strong> introduced unexpected tension between player and organization.<\/p>\n Crosby battled a lingering knee injury<\/strong> for most of the year, yet according to FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer<\/strong>, he strongly disagreed with the Raiders\u2019 decision to shut him down for the final two games. Crosby reportedly told Glazer that he had been playing hurt since Week 3<\/strong> and felt fully capable of finishing the season.<\/p>\n That disagreement became public when Crosby left the Raiders\u2019 facility<\/strong> after being informed he would not play again in 2025. Shortly thereafter, Las Vegas placed him on season-ending injured reserve<\/strong>. Crosby is now expected to undergo knee surgery during the offseason<\/strong>.<\/p>\n While none of this guarantees a trade request, the optics matter. The situation has fueled league-wide speculation that the Raiders\u2014who appear to be entering a rebuild and positioning themselves for the No. 1 overall pick<\/strong>\u2014may eventually listen to offers.<\/p>\n From Dallas\u2019 perspective, the appeal is obvious.<\/p>\n The Cowboys have quietly assembled significant interior defensive line depth<\/strong>, particularly after adding Kenny Clark<\/strong> and Quinnen Williams<\/strong>. That depth has pushed Osa Odighizuwa<\/strong>\u2014who signed a four-year, $80 million contract<\/strong> last spring\u2014into a less prominent role.<\/p>\n Drummond argues that Odighizuwa is now Dallas\u2019 third-best defensive tackle<\/strong>, making him a logical trade chip rather than a core piece.<\/p>\n \u201cOdighizuwa was signed to a four-year deal this past spring, and is now the team\u2019s third-best DT,\u201d Drummond noted. \u201cHis upside is strong, and he\u2019s a capable interior anchor for a team that is rebuilding like the Raiders.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For Las Vegas, the trade would be appealing. In addition to Odighizuwa, the Raiders would receive a first-round pick (potentially No. 14 overall)<\/strong>\u2014a valuable asset as they prepare to select a franchise quarterback with the top pick in the draft.<\/p>\n From a salary-cap standpoint, the trade is challenging but manageable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension in March 2025<\/strong>, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season<\/strong> with guarantees exceeding $90 million<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n His projected cap hit sits at $36 million in 2026<\/strong> and $30 million in 2027<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Trading Odighizuwa would free up enough cap space for Dallas to absorb Crosby\u2019s deal. Importantly, Crosby\u2019s contract includes an out after the 2027 season<\/strong>, giving the Cowboys long-term flexibility if they decide to reassess.<\/p>\n Given Jerry Jones\u2019 willingness to make bold financial moves\u2014already demonstrated by the Quinnen Williams trade\u2014the cap hurdles are far from prohibitive.<\/p>\n If the trade were to materialize, the Cowboys\u2019 defensive front would instantly become one of the most feared units in the NFL.<\/p>\n Despite playing through injury in 2025, Crosby still delivered elite production<\/strong>:<\/p>\n 73 total tackles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 10 sacks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2 forced fumbles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 1 interception (the first of his career)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Pairing Crosby on the edge with Quinnen Williams<\/strong> on the interior would give Dallas two of the most disruptive defensive linemen in football. Williams\u2019 ability to collapse the pocket combined with Crosby\u2019s relentless edge pressure would stress offenses on every snap.<\/p>\n The ripple effect would extend across the defense\u2014reducing pressure on the secondary, creating more turnover opportunities, and allowing defensive schemes to be more aggressive.<\/p>\n At this stage, the trade remains hypothetical. The Raiders may still view Crosby as untouchable, and Dallas may hesitate to part with premium draft capital. However, the logic behind the proposal is difficult to ignore.<\/p>\n The 2025 season was a letdown<\/strong> for the Cowboys, but the offseason offers a chance to reset. Acquiring Maxx Crosby would not only address one of Dallas\u2019 biggest weaknesses\u2014it would signal a renewed commitment to championship contention.<\/p>\n One thing is clear: if Crosby becomes available, Dallas will be watching closely<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For Cowboys fans, the message is simple\u2014this offseason could define the franchise\u2019s next era. And if Maxx Crosby ends up in silver and blue, it would be a move that reshapes expectations across the NFC.<\/p>\n Buckle up. The Cowboys may not be done making headlines.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Cowboys Trade Rumors: Could Dallas Swap Osa Odighizuwa and a First-Round Pick for Maxx Crosby? With only one regular-season game remaining and no postseason opportunities on the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":133654,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-133651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nTrade Proposal Gains Momentum: Osa Odighizuwa for Maxx Crosby<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\nWhy Maxx Crosby Is Suddenly a Trade Candidate<\/h2>\n
\nWhy the Trade Makes Sense for the Cowboys<\/h2>\n
\n
\nFinancial Implications: Cap Space and Contract Flexibility<\/h2>\n
![\"Cowboys](\"https:\/\/www.lonestarlive.com\/resizer\/v2\/JTBA3SNABZFLZKY7P4D5R3EMXM.jpg?auth=ebd2eb435380b06dc52ca5689a717d09e4bb4313910563a98118f54fbbb022fe&width=1280&smart=true&quality=90\")
<\/p>\n\n
\nPairing Maxx Crosby With Quinnen Williams: Defensive Nightmare<\/h2>\n
\n
\nA Franchise-Altering Move?<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n