BONUS EPISODE: Dallas Cowboys CONSIDERING Huge TRADE for Maxx Crosby – Does It Make SENSE?

Summary

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BONUS EPISODE: Dallas Cowboys CONSIDERING Huge TRADE for Maxx Crosby – Does It Make SENSE?

Podcast: Locked On Cowboys
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Date: February 13, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool dive deep into the swirling rumors that the Dallas Cowboys could be considering a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby. The hosts break down both sides of the argument—why trading for Crosby makes sense, why it may be too risky, and what the real costs would be. The discussion is grounded in cap realities, team-building philosophy, and a clear-eyed evaluation of Crosby’s value and fit.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why the Cowboys Should Trade for Maxx Crosby

(00:56–05:28)

• Crosby’s Immediate Impact

  • The Cowboys defense performed below expectations last season, and Crosby is regarded as an elite, three-down player who rarely leaves the field.
    • Marcus: "Max Crosby might be on the trade block. We'll tell you why the Cowboys should or shouldn't trade for him next." (00:56)
    • Landon: “The Cowboys are not a very good defense and Maxx Crosby is very good at defense, and sometimes it’s as simple as that.” (02:50)

• Versatility & Durability

  • Crosby’s endurance and willingness to play nearly every defensive snap are repeatedly emphasized.
    • Marcus: “I think there was like four straight years. He played 98% of the defensive snaps for the Raiders. Like he legitimately does not come off the field.” (03:31)
    • Landon: “The dude loves ball and he shows it by playing a ton of snaps… an incredibly versatile top end player.” (03:39)

• Talent Tier Clarification

  • While Crosby is not quite at the Micah Parsons or Myles Garrett level as a pure pass rusher, he is in the next tier overall and is “truly top end elite... run defender.” (04:13, Landon).

• Leadership & Locker Room Culture

  • Crosby’s on-field leadership and relentless effort are highlighted as intangibles that can uplift the Cowboys’ defense.
    • Landon: “Adding a guy like that who’s going to set the example and set the tone for the rest of your defensive line.” (04:31)

• Win-Now Mentality & Defensive Front Potential

  • Pairing Crosby with established interior players (Quinnen Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, Kenny Clark) could create a “Super Bowl caliber defensive line.”
    • Marcus: “You get a ready-made All-Pro edge rusher that you’re pairing with Quinnen Williams… and you have a Super Bowl caliber defensive line.” (04:43)

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2. Trade Cost & Market Context

(01:51–02:43, 05:28–05:41)

• What Would It Take?

  • Rumor: Seahawks reportedly offered two first-round picks and were turned down by the Raiders.
    • Landon: “Apparently the Seahawks offered two first round picks to Vegas and Vegas said no… they could try to command more than the Micah Parsons trade.” (02:03)
    • Marcus: “That’s also what you should be telling teams right now about Maxx Crosby if you’re even thinking.” (02:36)

• Valuation Debate

  • The hosts note that this astronomical price could just be the Raiders doing the right thing to maximize value.

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3. Reasons to Be Cautious (Why the Cowboys Shouldn’t Trade for Crosby)

(08:06–12:27)

• Age & Mileage

  • Crosby, now 29 and coming off an injury (though expected to be ready for camp), has already played a heavy snap load.
    • Landon: “He is going to be 29 years old… He has played a lot of snaps and he’s going to be 29… it could be time where you start to see it start to take its toll here.” (08:06)

• Escalating Price

  • Initial hope for a first-rounder “and some change” replaced by a rumored demand for two firsts or more. This is a steep price for a non-QB, especially an older one.
    • Landon: “If they’re turning down the Seahawks for two first round picks, I mean, that’s just way more than I’m willing to pay for Maxx Crosby.” (09:11)

• Roster-Building Cost

  • Forfeiting multiple firsts for a veteran means losing two “talented, cheap roster spots” that are essential when you’ve invested heavily at other positions (QB, WR).
    • Landon: “You need those picks… and you can’t do that if you give them away for a really expensive player.” (12:01)

• Salary Cap & Positional Spending

  • Cowboys already have significant money tied up in their defensive line. Adding Crosby risks creating the NFL’s most expensive front four, detracting from other needy units (LB, CB, S).
    • Marcus: “Now you’re talking about having the most expensive defensive line in the NFL by a mile... you might be investing too many resources to one unit.” (10:55)

• Draft & Free Agency Alternatives

  • This year’s draft and free agency classes are deep at edge rusher. The team could sign two veterans for the price of one Crosby and retain their picks.
    • Marcus: “There’s a lot of quality defensive ends in free agency this year. Hold on to the picks, maybe spend $30 million combined on two edge rushers, and I think you’ll have a better defense.” (12:27)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Landon McCool:

  • “[Crosby] is going to set the example and set the tone for the rest of your defensive line.” (04:31)
  • “He has played a lot of snaps and he’s going to be 29… it could be time where you start to see it start to take its toll here.” (08:06)
  • “It’s a lot of investment for a position in which... you feel like you want some, you could solve with a couple of different guys and you feel like there are answers in the draft that you like a lot.” (09:35)

• Marcus Mosher:

  • “You get a ready-made All-Pro edge rusher that you’re pairing with Quinnen Williams… and you have a Super Bowl caliber defensive line.” (04:43)
  • “If it only costs one first-round pick and that’s the price, I think you can stomach it. But the idea of a first and X plus maybe a new deal, I think the Cowboys should pass here.” (11:41)
  • "Now you’re talking about having the most expensive defensive line in the NFL by a mile." (10:55)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:56 – Episode theme: Maxx Crosby trade speculation
• 01:51–02:50 – Rumored price and potential trade negotiations
• 02:50–05:28 – Pros: What Crosby brings to Dallas
• 05:28–05:41 – Transition to trade caution
• 08:06–10:55 – Cons: Age, injury, and price
• 10:55–12:27 – Roster building & financial caution
• 12:27 – Free agent & draft alternatives

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Tone and Style

The discussion is lively, analytical, and rooted in a pragmatic understanding of NFL team-building. Both hosts offer clear opinions while acknowledging shades of gray, with Landon providing measured skepticism and Marcus articulating how big acquisitions could push the Cowboys over the top. The banter is typical of seasoned Cowboys observers: knowledgeable, passionate, and always eyeing how each move impacts both the present and the franchise's long-term flexibility.

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Summary

The Locked On Cowboys hosts meticulously break down the pros and cons of a blockbuster Cowboys deal for Maxx Crosby. While both Marcus and Landon recognize his on-field value, leadership, and immediate-fit potential on a win-now team, they ultimately question the wisdom of surrendering multiple first-rounders (plus potentially a new contract) for a 29-year-old, high-mileage defender—especially with strong alternatives available in the draft and free agency. Their conclusion: while seductive, the deal may be one the Cowboys should let pass.

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Transcript

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[Marcus Moser]

Max Crosby might be on the trade block. We'll tell you why the Cowboys should or shouldn't trade for him next. You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day. Welcome back to this bonus edition of the Locked On Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day with. Like to thank you for making us the number one sports podcast network. I am your host, Marcus Moser. He is Landon McCool and we are discussing Max Crosby, who sounds like he could be on his way out in Las Vegas. We've been talking about this for a while, Landon, but let's start with this. Why should the Cowboys trade for Crosby and what do you think it would take to get a deal done?

[Landon McCool]

Well, let's start with the latter part first because that seems to be the kind of changing news. Right. It sounds like there was a report that these. Was it, was it the Seahawks that offered two first round picks to the race?

[Marcus Moser]

Might have been, yeah.

[Landon McCool]

And. Well, somebody, I think it was the Seahawks at some. When we were talking about this whole situation earlier near the trade deadline, apparently the Seahawks offered two first round picks to Vegas and Vegas said no. So and the, the, the chatter at least you know, from the four letter networks is that they could try to command more than the Micah Parsons trade to, to get him out of there, which that's outrageous if that's the case. And, and just to be clear, like we'll talk about the downside of that, but that's pretty crazy. So.

[Marcus Moser]

No, that's also what you should be telling teams right now about Max Crosby if you're even thinking.

[Landon McCool]

Of course, that is absolutely a good point.

[Marcus Moser]

Right.

[Landon McCool]

You gotta, you gotta ask for the moon, otherwise you'll never get it. Or after the stars and you'll land in the moon.

[Marcus Moser]

There you go.

[Landon McCool]

So yeah, why should they do it? Well, the Cowboys are not a very good defense and Max Crosby is very good at defense and sometimes it's as simple as that. But I mean the truth of the matter is, is that you have a need of, for this, you know, specific kind of body type a little bit. I think that you're looking for somebody who could come in and be a, a huge top end pass rusher but also give you some help on the run. I, I don't think you're necessarily trying to go out and get another kind of pass rush specialist. And that's not what Crosby is. Crosby is a guy who can play all three downs for you and probably will try to sneak out on there on the punt team too. I mean the punt block team if you let him.

[Marcus Moser]

Like, I think there was like four straight years. He played 98 of the defensive snaps for the Raiders. Like he legitimately does not come off the field.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I mean the dude loves ball and he shows it by playing a ton of snaps. So I think, you know, he's an incredibly versatile top end player. Good against the run, good against the pass. As you and I have discussed. Maybe not that top echelon or that second tier of pass rusher, but yeah.

[Marcus Moser]

He'S not in Micah Parsons, Miles Garrett level of pass rusher. But he's, he is as an overall player though.

[Landon McCool]

Yes. And I think he is a very, very good. He's probably that next tier. Right. And then, and then, you know, in the DeMarcus Lawrence tier of run defenders. Right. Like.

[Marcus Moser]

Yes, truly.

[Landon McCool]

Truly top end elite. Elite. The run defender. So those are the pros there for or for why you would want him. Obviously he, you know, there's some other aspects that come with it, but I also think the last thing I'll just throw in there, you know, a leader. A leader in the sense that on the field.

[Marcus Moser]

Right.

[Landon McCool]

Like the guy that plays a thousand plus snaps every single year on the defensive line is an inspiration to your room. So certainly adding a guy like that who's going to set the example and set the tone for the rest of your defensive line line.

[Marcus Moser]

And I understand the argument of the Cowboys need an edge rusher. If you draft one in round one, you could get a really good player, but typically that's a position that takes some time to develop. You trade one of these picks and maybe a little bit more to bring them in, you get a ready made all pro edge rusher that you're pairing with Quinn and Williams and OSA De Gizua and Kenny Clark and Donovan as a Raku. And while you still have needs on the back end, now you have a dominant defensive line that can create pressure with the front four. You've got some guys that you like as backups with Sal Solomon, Thomas and James Houston and I'm assuming Jadevion Clowney will come back and you have a Super bowl caliber defensive line. The cost is going to be a lot, but it's like the Quinn and Williams deal. You're getting an awesome player for it.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean it's certainly it's not hard to kind of come up with reasons to why this would be good for the Cowboys. Now the reality of the rubber meets the road. That might be a different conversation altogether, though.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, let's talk about why the Cowboys shouldn't make this trade next. This episode is brought to you by Indeed. If you've ever, ever hired someone who looked good on paper but wasn't the right fit, you know how important that is when you want candidates who truly match what you're looking for. Trust Indeed Sponsored Jobs Hiring Indeed is all you need. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other sites Indeed Sponsored Jobs Put your post at the top of the page and help you reach the right candidates faster. If I ever needed to hire someone for this show, I would go straight to Indeed and be very specific about what I needed, which is real experience and not just some resume buzzwords. So spend more time interviewing candidates who check all of your boxes with less stress, less time and more results. Using Indeed Sponsored Jobs and and listeners of this show. Get a $75 sponsored job credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves@inn Indeed.com lot NFL just go to Indeed.com lot NFL right now and support the show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring do it the right way with Indeed. This episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The Winter Games are officially here, and if you're anything like us, you're locking in for the events that you only get to see on the biggest stage every four years. And that's why the following the Winter Games on FanDuel just makes sense. From medal counts to individual events to finding your angle on the sports that you care about the most, FanDuel gives you more ways to stay connected to the action. The drama of the curly matches that start slow but somehow get more intense. Speed skating races decided by a few inches, hockey games that feel different right from the opening face off. FanDuel gives the entire Olympic experience engaging from start to finish. The Winter Games are on, and there's no better way to follow them than with fanduel. Fanduel, play your game. All right, let's talk about Max Crosby. Why shouldn't the Cowboys make this trade? There's a lot of reasons why they should, but why should they maybe exercise some caution here?

[Landon McCool]

Well, first of all, I'd like to go back a little bit and talk about the fact that, you know, we kind of, or at least I did, I, I can't remember where you stood, but we, we both, I think, endorsed going to get Max Crosby around the trade deadline. I think that the situation is a little different than where it was then. Obviously, he's a little bit older, his contract's in a different spot. And the other thing, he's banged up. He, you know, he's, he's coming off. I mean, I think he's going to be fine. But again, like, he is going to be 29 years old or he is 29 years old, I think. And he. The positives that we, that we mentioned in the first part of the show, that he plays a ton of snaps can also be spun the other way. He has played a lot of snaps and he's going to be 29. So there. And as we mentioned, he's currently injured. He's going to be fine for training camp from what I understand. I think even OTAs. But the point being that, you know, it could be time where you start to see it start to take its toll here. The obvious thing that we mentioned in the first segment as well is the cost is way more than what we were anticipating at the trade deadline last year. We were hearing something closer to a first rounder. Maybe a first rounder is some change. And I think a first rounder is where we, if I, again, if I remember correctly, I think a first rounder is where you and I were holding pretty firm at that point. Now you're another year, you know, told on that contract. And, and the truth of the matter is is that the price hasn't maybe gone up. It just was higher than we all thought it was, right? If, if they're turning down the Seahawks for two first round picks, I mean, that's just way more than I'm, I'm willing to pay for Max Crosby on top of the fact that I don't know whether he is going to want a new contract. But it's obvious that most guys that get traded usually end up getting a new contract. So yeah, I just think that it's a lot of investment for a position in which, you know, you, you feel like you want some, you could solve with a couple of different guys and you feel like there are answers in the draft that you like a lot. This is a deep, I, I, I don't know that you need to necess, even though you're in a win now mode, I don't know that you need to necessarily incur the cost of investing all of that, incur the risk, I mean of investing all of that in a 29 year old pass rusher who is currently injured. And, and you know, I think it's, there's a high likelihood that he's going to be a better player immediately, but there is also a likelihood that you've used a lot of your resources that you needed in other spots as well and you've got a hurt 29 year old defensive end who isn't helping you for, you know, three or four games a season.

[Marcus Moser]

The other thing is the Cowboys, they took their swing with Quinn and Williams. They traded a first and a second round pick for Quinn and it's, you can't build a team trading away first round picks every single year unless you are getting guys that are like on rookie contracts and that you're getting like multiple years of value. That's not the case here. Like Quinn and Williams is going to want a new deal either this offseason or next offseason. Max Crosby is already on a new deal and again it's fairly team friendly but it's not like it's a rookie contract. You've already, you're paying Oso Digizua. We think they're going to pay, you know, continue to keep Kenny Clark. Now you're talking about having the most expensive defensive line in the NFL by a mile. And that's not a bad thing. It's a good thing to invest money on your defense, but you might be investing too many resources to one unit. Especially when linebacker, corner and safety all need a lot of help. If it only costs one first round pick and that's the price, I think you can stomach it. But the idea of a first and X plus maybe a new deal, I think the Cowboys should pass here.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, they have the opportunity cost of lost by giving away two talented, cheap roster spots in your two first round picks. When you have top end talent like the quarterback, the wide receiver, maybe even another wide receiver, you just can't afford that. You need those picks in order to be able to secure the, the talent at the cost saving that you get get with the first round pick and you can't do that if you give them away for a really expensive player.

[Marcus Moser]

And the other thing as we talked about earlier this week is there's a lot of quality defensive ends in free agency this year. Hold on to the picks, maybe spend $30 million combined on two edge rushers and I think you'll have a better defense. And again, that's acknowledging that Max Crosby is an awesome player, but it might be wise for the Cowboys to pass here. That's it for today's show. Follow Landon on Twitter coolbcb. I'm at Marcus Underscore Mosher. Check out the new Everyday club locked on cowboys.supercast.com to join the club and we will see you guys right back here on Monday.

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[Marcus Moser]

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