The Musers The Podcast — Cowboys Weekly: "A Maxx Deal?"

Date: March 26, 2026
Hosts: George Dunham & Bob Sturm
Theme: A dive into recent Dallas Cowboys offseason moves, free agency, defensive strategy changes, the Max Crosby saga, and the financial implications of wide receiver mega-contracts—all with the chemistry, wit, and detailed insight that The Musers bring each week.

Episode Overview

This episode offers an in-depth look at the Dallas Cowboys’ approach during free agency, current roster construction, potential blockbuster moves (highlighted by the swirling Max Crosby rumors), and the franchise’s thinking regarding team-building and contract negotiations, especially in the context of a rapidly shifting NFL marketplace for top-tier players.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cowboys’ Free Agency & Personnel Update

[00:33–12:32]

• The Cowboys’ approach has been measured, focusing on value signings and competitive depth rather than headline-grabbing splurges.
• Notable signings discussed:
  • Jalen Thompson & Rashan Gary: Considered upgrades (“very nice selection” and “starting to really wrap my arms around [Gary],” Bob Sturm, [01:33]), providing stability and upside.
  • Sam Howell as QB2: Competition for backup with Joe Milton; Howell considered more reliable for a short injury replacement for Dak, though not a flashy move (“If we lose QB1 for a month ... Sam helps probably gets you closer,” Bob, [04:28]).
  • Sam Williams' Return: Brought back on a one-year, low-risk deal; seen as a depth rusher (“At that price ... cool. I’ve got no issue at all,” Bob, [04:28]). Discussion explores his development ceiling, injury history, and the potential impact of new pass rush coach Brandon Jordan.
  • Kobie Durant (CB): Praised as a playmaker, but note his size could limit him (“A guy who can cover. That sounds good to me,” George, [17:41]).
  • Darian Kendrick, Matt Hennessy & Otito Ogbonia: Depth moves; Ogbonia’s size signifying a broader philosophical shift on defense.
• The Cowboys’ defensive front is being transformed for more size and physicality, notably moving on from undersized DTs like Osa Odighizuwa (“They want beef at those two defensive end spots and defensive tackle,” Bob, [20:48]).

2. The Cowboys’ Defensive Rebuild & Coaching Philosophy

[06:16–13:00]

• Hiring pass rush specialist Brandon Jordan signals a focus on player development and unlocking raw talent, not just scheme.
• Detailed discussion about the nuance of pass rushing technique and the “art” of player progression, rarely discussed in sports media (“It’s so hard to be good at this sport is what we’re saying,” Bob, [12:32]).
• Both hosts advocate for patience in developing players, cautioning against letting raw prospects leave and blossom elsewhere.

3. Missed Opportunities at Linebacker

[25:12–28:45]

• Frustration over inability to land a marquee linebacker, specifically Nakobe Dean, despite seemingly matched offers (“I just think sometimes you got to go, all right, we’ll pay you ... let’s get it done,” George, [26:08]).
• Discussion of possible reasons for the miss, including player preference and camaraderie: “Nakobe Dean went to Georgia; Quay Walker went to Georgia; Eric Stokes went to Georgia—all at the same time ... Quay Walker had signed earlier that day ... now we can be linebacker partners again in Vegas,” Bob, [28:26].
• Broader concern persists over linebacker depth, the team’s “worst position,” and the need for a future move.

4. Deep-Dive: Max Crosby Trade Rumors

[31:55–53:13]

• The wild saga of Max Crosby: trade rumors to Dallas and Baltimore, aborted deal with the Ravens due to medical issues (“It has to be the most bizarre off-season trade that wasn’t that I can think of,” George, [31:55]).
• Notable Quote - Max Crosby on his medicals:

  “Neil calls me ... he’s like, max, don’t listen to any of that ... you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, or even ahead of schedule... you’ll be back by training camp, okay?” (Max Crosby, [41:01])

• Review of proposed Cowboys packages for Crosby: from 1st-round pick + Osa Odighizuwa (“If you were going to trade OSA anyway, ... sign me up for that from the Cowboys perspective,” George, [34:10]), to 1st and a 3rd, even up to a 1st and a 2nd.
• Both Dunham & Sturm are inclined to pay a premium given the immediate title window (“Can you find anybody in this draft that can make you as good as Max Crosby can immediately? The answer is no,” Bob, [35:02]).
• The hosts believe the price has likely dropped since the Ravens’ offer fell through, and the Raiders may be forced to accept a more modest package as draft day nears.
• The financial logistics get trickier with the Rashan Gary signing—can both Crosby and Gary fit under the cap? (“It gets really, really tight, I think,” Bob, [49:03]), but both agree such all-in aggression is justified by the team’s stage of contention.
• Impact Player Urgency: “If it’s all about the next three years, let’s start getting some impact players in here,” George, [51:04].
• Parallels to the “Charles Haley move” are drawn: a transformative deal that could instantly boost the defense.

5. Wide Receiver Market Explosion & George Pickens’ Contract Implications

[54:35–65:42]

• The Seahawks give Jackson Smith-Njigba a four-year, $168M deal ($120M guaranteed), setting a new WR market.
• The Cowboys must now reassess George Pickens’ future; this new WR money “just went up this week,” George, [55:16].
• Bob highlights the accounting wisdom of extending players early, averaging down the total multi-year cost: “When the actual contract starts ... the market will only have gone up again,” Bob, [55:16].
• For Pickens, the Cowboys seem prepared to offer the second-tier WR contract ($30M/year range, 4 for $120M), but there’s a hard ceiling—Dallas won’t outpay CD Lamb or leap into the Jefferson/Njigba/Chase/JJ tier.
  • “This is the tier two wide receiver contract of the day ... We have that offer ... If Pickens and [agent] say we love playing in Dallas ... we sign the deal right now. If we don’t, then ... you’re playing under the tag in 2026 and then we’re kind of planning to cut you loose,” Bob, [57:34].
• Urgency is stressed: delaying will only increase the price as the WR market continues to inflate.
• Both believe Pickens should take the deal, given the advantages of Dallas’ offense and market.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On roster construction:

  “You don’t want to spend years with somebody and then the first or second year they’re somewhere else, they’re finding success at a higher level than they did with you.” — Bob Sturm, [12:32]

• On pass rush coaching:

  “It’s such a–I don’t want to get lost in the weeds here because the most important reason I would say that is I don’t fully grasp the techniques of pass rushing like I wish I did.” — Bob Sturm, [06:26]

• On LB market frustration:

  “I still can’t square in my mind how the Raiders can do it and the Cowboys can’t. … Sometimes you got to go, all right, we’ll pay you whatever…” — George Dunham, [25:20]

• On Max Crosby’s trade limbo:

  “I don’t see how they could [play him again] … there’s so much water under the bridge that it does bring the price down, because the whole league knows, oh, they’ve got to get rid of him …” — George Dunham, [43:09]

• On wide receiver mega-deals:

  “…Are we really in a world where we are paying $42 million to a wide receiver in a season? And it feels like we are—which is just, I suppose, where we are today…” — Bob Sturm, [55:16]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:33 — 03:53: Free agency overview; QB2 (Sam Howell vs. Joe Milton)
• 04:28 — 06:16: The value and ceiling of Sam Williams, edge depth
• 06:16 — 12:32: Coaching, pass rush technique, player development philosophy
• 17:10 — 22:22: CB signings (Kobie Durant, Darian Kendrick), defensive makeover for size
• 25:12 — 28:45: Missed LB opportunities, especially Nakobe Dean
• 31:55 — 39:55: Max Crosby trade rumors, the aborted Ravens deal, roundtable on price
• 41:01: Max Crosby explains his “failed” medical & return to Vegas
• 43:35 — 47:48: What should the Cowboys offer now? Auction dynamics, draft-day strategies
• 48:21 — 53:13: Rashan Gary’s arrival versus Crosby’s fit/financial strain; the case for “too much” edge depth
• 54:35 — 61:29: Jackson Smith-Njigba’s contract and impact on George Pickens
• 61:29 — 65:42: The WR pay scale, possible contract ranges for Pickens, team philosophy

Takeaways for Cowboys Fans

• The team is prioritizing value and flexibility this offseason, avoiding splash moves but leaving space for a draft-day deal.
• Defensive retooling is underway, favoring size and scheme over continuity with past player types.
• The staff’s patience with developing talent (and new coaching hires like Brandon Jordan) will be critical to making the most of athletic underachievers.
• The Max Crosby sweepstakes might not be over; timing and market dynamics could still play into a blockbuster move.
• The WR market is moving fast—Dallas needs to act quickly with Pickens or risk getting priced out.
• The coming month will be pivotal for roster-defining trades or extensions; linebacker remains the most pressing unresolved concern moving toward the draft.

Next Week Tease:
A deeper dive into linebacker solutions—both tradable veterans and draft prospects—plus exploring draft strategies with Bob’s latest simulations.

The Musers The Podcast: Football Friends. Insight, absurdity, and all things Cowboys—catch the next episode for more draft/deal drama!