The "Get Up" crew tossed around the idea of the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles making a move for Maxx Crosby, and look, it's fun to talk about. Fantasy football trades are fun too, but they don't always translate to reality. Crosby is a game-wrecker, plain and simple. He finished the 2023 season with 14.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, and led the league in pressures with 94. Those aren't just good numbers; they're elite.
Here's the thing: elite edge rushers don't grow on trees, and they certainly don't come cheap. Crosby signed a four-year, $98.98 million extension with the Raiders in March 2022. He's under contract through 2026. The dead cap hit if the Raiders traded him before June 1st, 2024, would be over $40 million. After June 1st, it drops, but it's still a massive number that teams simply don't absorb for a player they're trading away, especially not one of Crosby's caliber. The Raiders are building around him, not looking to offload him. Antonio Pierce, the new head coach, has repeatedly called Crosby the heart and soul of the team. That's not just coach-speak; it's a statement of intent.
The Cowboys already have Micah Parsons, who racked up 14 sacks and 18 tackles for loss last season. They also have DeMarcus Lawrence, who, while not as prolific, still commanded attention and recorded 4 sacks in 2023. Their defensive line is already formidable. Adding Crosby would be like putting a supercharger on a Ferrari that's already breaking land speed records. Is it necessary? Probably not. The Eagles, on the other hand, have Haason Reddick, who had 11 sacks in 2023, and Josh Sweat with 6.5. They also just signed Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million deal. Their defensive line depth is already strong, even if Reddick's future is a bit cloudy.
Real talk: trades for players of Crosby's caliber, who are still in their prime and under a significant contract, almost never happen unless there's a complete organizational meltdown or the player forces their way out. Crosby has been vocal about his commitment to the Raiders. He’s been the face of that franchise through some tough times, including a 2-7 start in 2023 that saw Josh McDaniels fired. His passion for the Silver and Black is evident every Sunday. He plays every snap like his hair is on fire, and that kind of intensity isn't easily transferable.
For the Cowboys, they're navigating CeeDee Lamb's contract extension, Dak Prescott's future, and Micah Parsons' eventual mega-deal. They simply don't have the cap space or the draft capital to make a legitimate run at Crosby without gutting their roster. The Eagles are in a slightly better position cap-wise, but they've already invested heavily in their defensive line. They'd have to give up multiple first-round picks, at minimum, to even get the Raiders to pick up the phone. And then there's the contract. You'd be adding a near-$25 million per year player to an already expensive position group. It just doesn't make sense from a roster construction standpoint for either team.
Look, I get it. The idea of Crosby lining up opposite Parsons or alongside Reddick is the stuff of Madden dreams. But the NFL is a business. The Raiders aren't giving up their best player, their captain, and the emotional leader of their defense, especially not when they're trying to establish a new identity under Pierce. It's a fun thought experiment for morning shows, but it's not happening.
The Raiders will extend Crosby again before they trade him.