NFL free agency: Raiders trade Maxx Crosby to Ravens, not Cowboys

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 14: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2025 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The dream is over.

This is assuming your dream was for Maxx Crosby to play for the Dallas Cowboys to be clear.

It was reported by multiple outlets that the Las Vegas Raiders are sending Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for first-round picks in this and next year's draft.

ESPN sources: the Raiders agreed to trade five-time Pro-Bowl DE Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for 2026 and 2027 first-round picks.

The trade cannot be processed until next week, but it is in place. And Crosby is expected to be a Raven with two 1s back to Vegas. pic.twitter.com/rfExCLpXfF

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2026

Obviously we do not care much about Crosby joining the Ravens, although Dallas does play Baltimore this year. We are discussing this here because the Cowboys had been among the teams linked to Crosby dating back to last year's trade deadline.

Even in the aftermath of the trade breaking there reports from national insiders about how the Cowboys were involved.

Crosby had his eye on the Cowboys, Ravens, and Patriots for weeks.

Baltimore makes a gigantic splash! https://t.co/iEwKkyH5S8

- Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 7, 2026

The #Cowboys and a few other teams were in it to the end. But when Baltimore went to two first-rounders, that sealed it. https://t.co/dZJc8XzCCZ

- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2026

The Cowboys were willing to offer a first- and second-round pick to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby but, logically and understandably, Las Vegas opted for the two first-round picks from the Ravens. https://t.co/v6z4Uum1Lh

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2026

ESPN noted that the Cowboys were willing to offer a first- and second-round pick to Las Vegas for Crosby. It is worth pointing out that Dallas has a bit of a caveat going with first-round pick in 2027, they technically hold two right now, but the better of them belongs to the New York Jets in the aftermath of the Quinnen Williams trade which Dallas did execute at the deadline.

Bobby Belt explained how they technically could have offered it in a trade.

They could have. They can trade it as a conditional 2nd rounder, with a stipulation like "Turns into a 1st if player is on the roster on 3/1/27" and then it escalates once the draft positioning is settled.

- Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) March 7, 2026

Whatever the case... this saga is over.

Are you happy the Cowboys didn't do this?