Cowboys Linked to Trade for Pro Bowl Pass-Rusher — and it’s Not Maxx Crosby

The Dallas Cowboys secured a win against division rivals the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, yet their defensive unit remains a developing entity. Throughout seven games, the Cowboys have recorded a total of 10 sacks, placing them 27th in the league. The three defensive ends the Cowboys bolstered this offseason — Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, and Von Miller — have contributed to only 3.5 of those sacks.

Consequently, many Cowboys supporters are advocating for the team's owner, Jerry Jones, to reevaluate the pursuit of Las Vegas Raiders edge-rusher Maxx Crosby, whom the Raiders traded to the Baltimore Ravens. The Baltimore team abandoned the trade due to concerns regarding Crosby's knee injury. The Raiders have set a price tag of two first-round picks for Crosby, which Dallas only possesses their 2027 first and second-round picks as leverage, having previously traded away their 2028 second.

Speculation about Crosby's effectiveness for the remainder of the season is also in question, as he has logged just two sacks in seven games while dealing with his knee issue. However, ESPN's Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler propose a more budget-friendly alternative for the Cowboys. In their list of the top 25 trade-deadline prospects, the duo included the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills as potential suitors for Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Khalil Mack.

According to Fowler, "Mack is productive and affordable." The Chargers had granted Mack a $10 million signing bonus in March, meaning that should another team acquire him, they would assume his prorated $8 million salary for the final game of his one-year contract. Mack, 35, may lack the same explosive athleticism as in his earlier career, but he remains a force with his strength and counter maneuvers.

In six games, he has amassed nine Pro Bowl appearances, recording three sacks and 16 pressures. Over the past three seasons, Mack has averaged 14.5 sacks and 83 pressures. These accomplishments alone surpass the three combined sacks of Gary, Lawrence, and Miller. Moreover, Mack would alleviate the Cowboys of the financial burden of dealing with the Raiders — or committing to the long-term future of a franchise that currently lacks draft capital.

The Chargers are the NFL's lone winless team, but SI's Albert Breer noted that they have not yet decided to initiate a significant player trade. Fowler suggested that a deal for Mack would likely involve swapping a quality Day 3 pick.