Locked On Cowboys – "TOO MUCH: Dallas Cowboys PASS on Maxx Crosby Trade | Next Move For Defense???"

Date: March 9, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the Dallas Cowboys’ recent near-trade for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby and explores why the team ultimately backed out of the deal. Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool analyze the implications of this decision, offer perspectives on roster-building philosophy, and preview what moves Dallas could pursue next as they try to retool the defense before free agency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Details of the Maxx Crosby Trade Fallout

(01:17–06:35)

• The Offer & Aftermath:

  • The Cowboys reportedly offered a 2026 first-round pick, a future second-round pick, and a veteran player for Maxx Crosby. The Raiders chose the Ravens’ competing offer instead.
  • Both hosts express relief and support for Dallas’ restraint.

• Aging & Value Concerns:

  • Marcus: “It felt like it was just a little bit too rich to, to pay... he is 29 years old. He's played a ton of snaps at this point. I certainly think that he could be an interesting needle mover, but... the Cowboys at this point also need depth and need that talent kind of spread out.” (02:17)
  • Landon: “The way to get this defense back to being acceptable is by adding depth and not being so top-heavy... when you’re this cap strong and you don’t have a second or third-round pick next year, I don’t think it makes sense.” (02:56)

• Lessons from History:

  • Previous near-misses for Dallas (Jamal Adams, Earl Thomas) worked out for the better, as massive trade prices often backfire long-term.
  • Landon: “Some of the best deals [Jerry Jones] has made are the ones that ultimately didn’t go through.” (04:19)

• Discipline & Process Praised:

  • Both hosts highlight that setting a firm price and refusing to overpay demonstrates front-office discipline.
  • Marcus: “It showed good process for the Cowboys as well... they have an idea of what they want, they're not becoming obsessed and then throwing a bunch of cash at it necessarily.” (04:45)

• Roster-Building Philosophy:

  • The team cannot afford to be top-heavy in talent at the expense of depth or future flexibility.
  • Landon: “They kind of already took their big swing on trading for a veteran defensive lineman last year... Doing it twice in six months is a little too rich for me.” (05:36)

2. What’s Next for the Dallas Cowboys Defense?

(09:05–12:44)

• Edge Rusher Still a Priority:

  • The search for pass rush help continues, with free agency set to start soon.
  • Marcus: “I think edge rusher is still a priority... What's at the top of the market for pass rusher? Which guy is potentially the best fit?” (09:05)
  • Possible high-end targets: Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh, Boye Mafe; Joey Bosa mentioned as a possible short-term rental.

• Trade Market Options:

  • Marcus: “There are still other trades out there... the Jonathan Greenard situation out of Minnesota.” (10:24)
    • Noted connection: Cowboys’ coach Marcus Dixon was previously in Minnesota, giving some familiarity with Greenard.

• Jonathan Greenard as a Target:

  • Landon: “The sack numbers... were poor, but his win rate was 17.4%, which is the highest of his career... I think if you want a two-year rental and don’t want to have to worry about edge rusher in Round 1 of the draft, Greenard’s a really interesting prospect.” (11:38)
  • Greenard is 28, turning 29 soon—potential to rebound in production and isn’t a long-term cap burden.

• Draft & Development Caution:

  • Marcus: “Defensive end... notoriously difficult to... instantaneously microwave some talent out of a rookie... maybe flipping just a single first round pick, maybe 20th pick for a guy like this who’s still young.” (12:27)
  • The team is weighing immediate upgrade versus long-term development, trying to balance both.

Notable Quotes

• “It felt like it was just a little bit too rich to pay. You know, keeping in mind that, again, he is 29 years old. He's played a ton of snaps at this point... the Cowboys at this point also need depth.”
  — Marcus Mosher (02:17)

• “The way to get this defense back to being acceptable is by adding depth and not being so top heavy because... your three or four weakest players on defense would get exposed. You’re just never going to be able to win that way.”
  — Landon McCool (02:56)

• “Some of the best deals that [Jerry Jones] has made are the ones that ultimately didn’t go through.”
  — Landon McCool (04:19)

• “It showed. Good process for the Cowboys as well... they're exploring these issues. They have an idea of what they want. They're not becoming obsessed and then throwing a bunch of cash at it necessarily.”
  — Marcus Mosher (04:45)

• “They kind of already took their big swing on trading for a veteran defensive lineman last year when you gave up a first and second round pick for Quinnen Williams. Doing it twice in six months is a little too rich for me.”
  — Landon McCool (05:36)

• “Edge rusher is still a priority... What's at the top of the market for pass rusher?... I would not be shocked if the Cowboys were in on any of these, you know, let's say the first pod of pass rushers.”
  — Marcus Mosher (09:05)

• “Jonathan Greenard is a really interesting player because the sack numbers... were poor, but his win rate was 17.4%, which is the highest of his career. He just got really unlucky when it came to sacking the quarterbacks. And we know that sacks can be a quarterback stat and they can be fluky.”
  — Landon McCool (11:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:17] — Show opens: Reaction to Maxx Crosby trade miss.
• [02:17–04:01] — Hosts break down why the price for Crosby was too high.
• [04:01–04:45] — Examples of trades that didn’t happen and paid off.
• [04:45–06:13] — Process & discipline praised; caution against stacking too many old, highly-paid players.
• [09:05] — Pivot: What’s next for the Cowboys’ defense and edge rusher market preview.
• [10:24–12:44] — Trade and free agent targets discussed, Jonathan Greenard profile.

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• The hosts largely agree that missing out on Maxx Crosby may benefit the Cowboys in the long run, as over-committing resources to a single aging star wouldn't align with the team's current cap structure and depth needs.
• Dallas demonstrated discipline and process—the hosts believe this is a positive sign for future team-building decisions.
• Edge rusher remains a priority; Dallas will be active in both free agency and the trade market, with players like Jonathan Greenard seen as potential fits.
• The team wants to avoid repeating past mistakes of sacrificing depth and flexibility for star power, aiming for a more balanced defensive group moving forward.

For future episodes:
The next full-length show will dive deeper into strategies for winning free agency.
Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @McCoolBCB for updates.