The chatter about Maxx Crosby landing in Dallas or Philadelphia is fun for a Tuesday morning, I get it. ESPN's "Get Up" crew tossed around the idea, and it’s always entertaining to play GM. But let's pump the brakes on the idea that trading for the Raiders' star edge rusher solves everything for either the Cowboys or the Eagles. It’s a fantasy built on a few too many highlight reels and not enough cap sheets.
Crosby is a beast, no doubt. The man played 1,075 snaps for the Raiders in 2023, leading all edge rushers by a mile. He finished with 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss, both career highs. He’s the kind of relentless motor that coaches dream about. He’s also signed through 2026, with cap hits north of $24 million in 2025 and 2026. That’s a serious commitment for any team, especially one trying to piece together a Super Bowl contender.
Dallas has Micah Parsons. That’s a pretty good start to any pass rush. Parsons had 14 sacks in 2023, his third consecutive season with double-digit sacks. DeMarcus Lawrence, while aging, still chipped in 4 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. The Cowboys ranked 8th in the league with 46 sacks last season. Their issue wasn't a lack of pass rush. It was inconsistent run defense, giving up 4.3 yards per carry, 16th in the NFL.
Real talk: The Cowboys have Dak Prescott's contract extension looming, CeeDee Lamb needs a new deal, and Parsons is due for a massive payday himself soon. Adding Crosby's $24 million+ cap hit would be financial suicide. They'd be mortgaging their future for a player who, while elite, plays a position where they already have an All-Pro. A trade for Crosby would likely cost them at least a first-round pick and probably more. That's a steep price for a team already tight against the cap and with other pressing needs, particularly on the offensive line and at linebacker.
The Eagles’ defensive line is a different animal. They spent a ton of draft capital on the interior with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. Both are still on rookie deals, which is a huge advantage. Haason Reddick, their premier edge rusher, was traded to the Jets this offseason for a conditional third-round pick. That move freed up cap space but also left a void. Bryce Huff, signed to a three-year, $51 million deal, is expected to fill some of that void after racking up 10 sacks for the Jets in 2023. Josh Sweat is still there, but his production dipped to 6.5 sacks last year after 11 in 2022.
Here's the thing: The Eagles' problem last year wasn't individual talent on the defensive line, it was scheme and consistency. They ranked 20th in sacks with 43. But they also had the talent to be much better. Adding Crosby would undoubtedly boost their pass rush. However, the Eagles already have significant money tied up in their defensive line, including Fletcher Cox's one-year, $10 million deal. They need to figure out how to maximize the talent they already have, not just pile on more expensive pieces. My controversial opinion? The Eagles’ defensive coordinator hire, Vic Fangio, will have a bigger impact on their pass rush than any single player acquisition could. They need better execution, not just another big name.
Neither the Cowboys nor the Eagles are a Maxx Crosby away from a Super Bowl. Both teams have more fundamental issues to address. Dallas needs to figure out its long-term quarterback situation and solidify its run defense. Philadelphia needs to integrate its new defensive scheme and get more out of its young, high-draft-pick talent. Trading for Crosby is a splashy move, but it’s a luxury neither team can truly afford or needs as desperately as the media suggests.
Bold prediction: Maxx Crosby finishes his career with the Raiders, never playing a snap for another team.