Trade rumors around Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby refuse to disappear – and now former NFL tight end and analyst Shannon Sharpe has added fuel to the speculation by outlining how the Dallas Cowboys could realistically afford him.
The Raiders have repeatedly signaled they do not want to move their defensive cornerstone. However, insiders indicate that any conversation would begin with a massive compensation package. Reports suggest Las Vegas would require at least two first-round draft picks and a premium player just to consider negotiations.
Crosby, 28, has developed into one of the league’s most disruptive defenders since entering the NFL in 2019, compiling nearly 70 sacks along with consistent pressure production and forced turnovers. Despite that impact, frustration following a disappointing 2025 season has sparked league-wide interest.
Micah Parsons shocks NFL by training again just two months after torn ACL
Sharpe believes Dallas could make a move without dismantling its roster – thanks to creative salary-cap maneuvering.
The cap is going up. They gonna restructure CeeDee. They gonna restructure Dak. Just those two restructures alone are 60 million.
According to Sharpe, adjusting the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb could instantly generate enough flexibility to absorb Crosby’s deal.
He dismissed concerns about losing other contributors in the process.
“Ain’t nobody else making no damn money,” he added, arguing the Cowboys could protect their core while still making a blockbuster move.
What a Crosby trade would cost and why teams are watching
Even if Dallas can afford the contract, the bigger obstacle is the Raiders’ price tag. A package resembling recent elite defender trades – including multiple first-round selections – would be required to open discussions.
Las Vegas still views Crosby as the identity of its defense, meaning any potential deal would need to reshape the franchise’s long-term future. For a contender, however, adding a dominant edge rusher could immediately alter championship odds.
Sharpe emphasized that teams chasing a title rarely let finances stop them.
If you want a game-wrecker, you find a way
Other franchises have also been loosely linked as potential suitors, including teams seeking defensive help to complement playoff-caliber rosters. But the Cowboys remain particularly intriguing due to their cap flexibility and win-now pressure.
For Dallas, the appeal is obvious: pairing an elite pass rusher with its current talent base could elevate the defense from competitive to dominant. The challenge lies in balancing short-term ambition with long-term draft capital.
For now, the Raiders insist they plan to keep Crosby. Yet offseason negotiations often evolve quickly, especially when contenders clear cap space and present aggressive offers.
As Sharpe hinted, once restructures begin and teams start calling, the situation could change fast – and the NFL trade market may soon center around one question: who is willing to pay the premium for a defensive superstar?
