Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones made it clear Wednesday that he is willing to make a move at the NFL trade deadline if it can improve the team. The comment has set the front office into a search for upgrades, with league chatter centering on edge-rush help.
Jones willing to act at the deadline
Jones’ statement was unambiguous: if an opportunity presents itself at the trade deadline to make the roster better, he will pursue it. That stance has pushed the Cowboys toward a more active posture as they evaluate potential additions that could impact the pass rush and defensive front.
Front-office conversations around the league suggest Dallas wants to add an edge presence before the deadline, with multiple scenarios being explored rather than a single obvious path.
Targets discussed: Josh Sweat and Maxx Crosby
Sporting News projects two names as primary candidates for Dallas’ pursuit: Josh Sweat of the Arizona Cardinals and Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. That report frames both players as potential fits to bolster the Cowboys’ pass-rush unit, with differing views about availability and impact.
Sporting News notes there is more expectation that Josh Sweat could be available, citing instability in Arizona over recent weeks and broader roster movement within the Cardinals organization. By contrast, Maxx Crosby’s availability has been clouded by prior trade activity: Las Vegas attempted to move Crosby earlier this year when a deal with the Baltimore Ravens fell through after the Ravens backed out, a development that complicates any new trade effort.
The same Sporting News piece also offered an evaluative take, suggesting Crosby would be the superior addition while acknowledging that Sweat would still represent a meaningful upgrade. That characterization was presented as opinion within the report.
With Jones publicly open to deals, Dallas’ front office appears to be weighing those edge-rusher options alongside other roster needs. The club’s willingness to engage at the deadline, combined with fluctuating availability among potential targets, creates a fluid trade market for the Cowboys to navigate over the coming weeks.
How aggressive Dallas will be — which assets it might be willing to part with, or whether it ultimately completes a deal — remains unsettled. For now, the message from the top is clear: Jerry Jones wants flexibility to improve the roster if the right opportunity arrives.
