The Cowboys were among the teams in talks for Maxx Crosby before the Ravens agreed to acquire him from the Ravens last Friday. The Ravens were prepared to part with two first-round picks until they shockingly backed out of the deal on Tuesday night. Crosby’s status is once again in limbo as the new league year begins.
The Raiders could still move Crosby, but the Cowboys are not expected to get involved in a new round of talks, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Baltimore called off the blockbuster swap after Crosby, who is recovering from a full meniscus repair, failed its physical. The Cowboys share the Ravens’ concerns over Crosby’s knee, Jane Slater of NFL Network told 105.3 The Fan. Dr. Dan Cooper, the Cowboys’ team physician, concurs with the Ravens’ prognosis.
Less than a year after shipping Micah Parsons to the Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark, the Cowboys would have sent a first- and a second-rounder to the Raiders for Crosby. While a healthy Crosby would have given the Cowboys a credible Parsons replacement, they have since pivoted to Rashan Gary in another trade with the Packers. Further pass-rushing acquisitions could still be on the way for Dallas, but it appears Crosby is off the table for owner Jerry Jones & Co.
Although Crosby’s balky knee scared off the Ravens and Cowboys, the five-time Pro Bowler is off crutches and “on schedule” in his recovery, Adam Schefter of ESPN relays. The goal is for Crosby to be ready for Week 1 next season.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed Crosby’s surgery, told Schefter: “Maxx Crosby is doing very well in the early part of his rehab and recovery from surgery to treat a significant meniscus tear and the related stress injury to the bone and cartilage in his knee. He is certainly on track in his planned program….he feels very well and is already much improved compared to before surgery.”
Dr. ElAttrache continued: “We truly respect the work of the Ravens staff with Maxx regarding the contract physical exam. We also understand the challenge the staff faces when tasked to provide a future risk assessment based on an evaluation early in the recovery process.”
While he added that “the apparent risk will lessen as [Crosby’s] recovery progresses,” neither the Ravens nor Cowboys are willing to make a significant investment in the 28-year-old. The Ravens moved on to fellow star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, whom they added on a four-year, $112MM deal on Wednesday. It appeared there was finally an answer on Crosby’s future last week, but now it is murkier than ever.
So Jerra gives up a 4th for a guy about to get cut… now they’re out of cap space. Sounds on brand.
No, Jones gave up a 2027 4th for a player that was about to be a FA. Instead of getting into a bidding war with other teams in free agency for an even higher salary, he assumed a contract with no remaining guarantees.
And after we working some contracts, they had/have enough cap room to sign other players
The Cowboys being active in early free agency is very much not on brand.
* reworking
We gave a 4th round pick because the team was not sure it could sign Gary on the open market. He would of had plenty of suitors. Especially all the money that was thrown around to part-time rushers. Quit the rethoric that he wa being released blah blah blah. Go cry to your Gm that you need a starting olb now
No duh
Crosby will still be moved. His salary is too much considering what they just committed to the last few days. Raiders just won’t get two 1sts.
The issue as I read it is the concern over chronic knee problems like arthritis after the meniscus tear heals. With a player like him, that may not matter. He’s going to play 110% every down and sacrifice that knee no matter what. If I was a GM, I might want him more due to Crosby being angry and proving himself up about the failed physical. Plus if he’s put on a better DL, who knows how high he can go?
no it’s not. they still have about 37mil left in cap space with Crosby
Nope. Dr. Cooper is the Cowboys Dr.. He’s the one who advised the Ravens. So yea nope
Thats a great point! No way Dallas touches him now nor should they!
Can we stop saying the ravens shockingly backed out? He failed the physical. Whether or not that’s legit is another story but if a teams doctor fails a player on a physical it’s not shocking said team would not want to acquire player any longer.
A cursory look at comments from around the league shows this isn’t just random fans and writers saying this. Front office people are saying the same thing.
Two things can be true: Crosby’s knee is bad enough to fail a physical, and the way the Ravens did this is shocking considering the way 31 other NFL teams do business.
It’s really not shocking though. Like the other gms and front office people can act like they are all a flutter about the ravens doing this but every single one of them would do the same thing if they were Baltimore.
I dont care about the ravens either to be clear. If anything Crosby being available again gives Howie Roseman a chance to pull off another Magic act for my eagles.
every single one of them would do the same thing if they were Baltimore.
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It remains to be seen if the injury is worse than expected, or if they have buyers remorse. If the Raiders can prove that the Ravens got exactly what was promised,
I’d liken it to buying a house with a defect. If there was a crack in the foundation, that could not be foreseen, you’re sprung from your obligation. But if there are cracks in the sidewalk, which were visible when you bought the house, you don’t get to cancel the sale.
The Ravens knew about the meniscus surgery. I think they’ll need to prove it was worse than disclosed.
this is unprecedented, a blockbuster deal of this magnitude has never been backed out of before.
its shocking.
A D-line of Maxx, Clark, Williams, and Gary would be pretty disgusting honestly. Quite possibly the best line assembled in recent memory.
The Cowboys of course would find a way to lose games on defense and then find their way to their 31st year in a row of not winning a Super Bowl.
time for the bengals to pounce .. crosby will be half off for a very limited time .. sure the raiders would love watching him wreak havoc against the ravens