Cowboys rumored to be eyeing star pass-rusher as Parsons replacement

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Cowboys rumored to be eyeing star pass-rusher as Micah Parsons replacement before trade deadline

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 8:34 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys could be looking to make amends for trading defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the start of the season.

On Tuesday, former ESPN broadcaster Trey Wingo tweeted the Cowboys "have made inquiries" about a potential trade for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. On his "Straight Facts Homie!" podcast, Wingo didn't say whether the Raiders have shown interest in the offer. The trade deadline is on Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. ET.

What has Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said about potential trades?

Wingo's report could be smoke like many rumors before the deadline, but Jones has hinted he would be interested in making a move to improve the team. The Cowboys (3-3-1) are second in the NFC East following a 44-22 Week 7 win over the Washington Commanders.

"Just because we played well and all of a sudden everybody thinks, 'Boy, you're in the hunt," Jones said Tuesday on KRLD-FM in Dallas (h/t Tommy Yarrish of the team website). "So, it's time to go out and gather up all of the talent that's waiting around here on the trees to add to it.

"That's not realistic. What's realistic is that if we do see an opportunity, we are in as good shape as we've been in years with picks, with financial, with our cap. We're in as good a shape as we've ever been if we see a way to improve our team with a player that makes sense today, this year, next year to entertain it and look at it."

Breaking: according to sources the @dallascowboys have made inquiries with the @Raiders about a potential trade for Maxx Crosby
— trey wingo (@wingoz) October 21, 2025

Who would Jones have in mind? The player he described sounds like Crosby, among the few pass-rushers of a similar caliber to Parsons.

Why Maxx Crosby would be an excellent addition for Cowboys

Four-time Pro Bowler Crosby, who grew up in Colleyville, Texas, would immediately boost Dallas' 30th-ranked scoring defense (29.4 PPG). In seven seasons with the Raiders, he has amassed 63.5 sacks, tied for 19th among active players (via Pro Football Reference). Parsons, meanwhile, has 58 sacks in five seasons with the Packers and Cowboys, which ranks 25th.

Crosby suffered left knee and back injuries in the second quarter of a 31-0 Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and didn't return to the game. Pulling him out during a blowout was likely a precaution.

The Cowboys don't have to worry about an extension for the DE. In March, he signed a three-year, $106.5M extension with $91.5M guaranteed. Spotrac estimates the Cowboys have $31.3M in cap space this season, but they would need to clear some next offseason to make room for the deal.

Remain skeptical about the rumor. If the Cowboys acquire Crosby, though, it would give them the Parsons replacement they desperately need. It would also make Dallas fans still angry about the blockbuster trade less salty.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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