Jerry Jones on Maxx Crosby: Doesn’t anticipate Cowboys interest, but doesn’t rule it out

In true Jerry Jones fashion, the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager declined to completely shut the door on their interest in Maxx Crosby.

“We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are,” Jones told reporters Thursday in Arlington, Texas, at an event promoting an IndyCar series race that is going to be run by AT&T Stadium. “So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out.”

Late Wednesday night, Crosby seemed to reaffirm his commitment to the Raiders in a post on X that stated, “Im (sic) A Raider. I’m Back.”

The Cowboys had interest in the Las Vegas Raiders’ All-Pro edge rusher before he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks last Friday. The Ravens backed out of the deal Tuesday because of concerns about Crosby’s surgically repaired knee after he failed his physical.

Dallas has since traded a fourth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers for 2024 Pro Bowl edge rusher Rashan Gary. The Cowboys still need pass-rush help, but they are likely to go a much cheaper route than what it would cost to land Crosby in a trade.

Dallas wasn’t very active in the first wave of free agency. Adding Gary and former Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson are clearly the Cowboys’ two biggest moves. Several holes remain on what was arguably the worst defense in franchise history last season.

“I feel very good about it,” Jones said. “We have nowhere but up to go on defense. That’s not anyone’s fault at all. But we’re going to almost assuredly be much better. And I’m betting on us improving on offense. That ought to get us with a better feeling when we get into December.”

Jones said he’s pleased with what Dallas has done so far in free agency.

“I think we’re within the boundaries of what we have available, what we’re trying to accomplish with draft picks and with (salary) cap,” he said. “I wouldn’t try to revisit or try to redo what we’ve done on either that cap or the trades we’ve made. I like what we got.”