03/12/26 07:59:00
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03/12 19:57 CDT Jerry Jones doesn't rule out Cowboys re-engaging on Maxx Crosby
but doesn't anticipate such a move
Jerry Jones doesn't rule out Cowboys re-engaging on Maxx Crosby but doesn't
anticipate such a move
By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Pro Football Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) --- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wouldn't rule out
re-engaging in trade talks for edge rusher Maxx Crosby while saying he didn't
anticipate such a move since his club is "pretty far down the road" in free
agency.
The Cowboys were on a short list of suitors when the Baltimore Ravens agreed to
send two first-round draft picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for Crosby, only to
back out of the deal a day before it could become official.
When Crosby was still apparently headed to Baltimore, Dallas acquired edge
rusher Rashan Gary from Green Bay for a 2027 fourth-round pick on the first day
of free agency this week.
The Cowboys have been in flux with their pass rush ever since sending young
star Micah Parsons to the Packers for two first-rounders a week before the
season started last year.
"We're pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are," Jones said
Thursday when asked about Crosby at an event promoting an IndyCar series street
race that will run by the 80,000-seat home of the Cowboys in Arlington. "So
while I don't anticipate it, I don't want to rule anything out."
Dallas is trying to rebuild a defense that was among the worst in the NFL last
season. Christian Parker was hired as defensive coordinator, and the Cowboys
signed two safeties in Jalen Thompson, who spent his first six seasons with
Arizona, and P.J. Locke.
The Cowboys added some salary cap flexibility by sending defensive tackle Osa
Odighizuwa to San Francisco for a third-round pick this year. While Dallas has
two first-rounders, the club was without another pick until the fourth round
before trading Odighizuwa.
Odighizuwa was a third-round pick in 2021 and signed an $80 million, four-year
extension last year, before negotiations stalled with Parsons.
That relationship soured, the Parsons trade to the Packers sent defensive
tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas. Then the Cowboys used one of the first-round
picks from the Parsons deal to acquire star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams
from the New York Jets.
Dallas had three defensive tackles with contracts carrying an average annual
value of at least $20 million, and the Parker hiring meant a switch to a 3-4
base defense, creating even more of a log jam with the interior of the
defensive line.
The Cowboys placed the $27.3 million franchise tag on receiver George Pickens
and have until July 15 to try to reach a long-term deal with CeeDee Lamb's star
sidekick. That's another reason for the Odighizuwa trade.
"We needed to spread it around a little bit," Jones said, referring to the
salary cap. "Let's not take anything away from him individually, but we've got
two outstanding football players, we have other backup players, plus we don't
want to rule out drafting a player."
Parker is the third defensive coordinator hired in three years, after those
units struggled in one season each under Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus. The
blown assignments and other poor play were particularly pronounced with
Eberflus.
"I feel very good about it," Jones said. "We have nowhere but up to go on
defense. It's not anyone's fault at all. But we'll almost assuredly be much
better. And I'm betting on us improving on offense. That ought to get us with
better feeling when we get to December."
While Gary recorded at least 7 1/2 sacks for the fourth time in the past five
seasons, he didn't have any in the second half of 2025.
The expected boost from the addition of Parsons was there early in the season,
when Gary led the NFL with 4 1/2 sacks though three weeks, but fizzled late.
Parsons missed the final three games after tearing an ACL.
The comparisons are likely to continue since Gary and Parsons have essentially
traded places in the past year. The 28-year-old who spent his first seven
seasons in Green Bay doesn't see it that way.
"He was able to reach out to me, I was able text him back," Gary said. "But I
have yet to be able to really have a conversation with him. At the end of the
day, it's a business, so I don't look at it as trading places or things like
that. I'm just coming here to be me and be the impact (player) that the Cowboys
need."
The Cowboys also traded defensive end Solomon Thomas to Tennessee in a deal
that included a seventh-round pick swap between the clubs.
Dallas is changing the competition behind quarterback Dak Prescott by signing
Sam Howell and releasing Will Grier. Barring other QB changes, Howell will
compete with Joe Milton for the backup job.
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