Cowboys trade rumors are heating up quickly, and one of the NFL’s top pass rushers could be involved
When putting together my list of seven trade deadline targets for the Dallas Cowboys, I was relatively cautious of adding many major names. The front office has fallen on the conservative side of things for years now so any blockbuster trade appears to be a longshot these days.
However, trade rumors around the Cowboys are heating up and it's looking increasingly likely they're involved in a high-profille deal before the Nov. 4 deadline to execute trades. At 3-3-1, two games separate Dallas from the big day.
The Cowboys have been linked by multiple NFL insiders to defensive stars and even ESPN's Adam Schefter expects them to be buyers at the deadline.
"I would say that the Dallas Cowboys are having conversations about moves that they can make before the trade deadline to try to improve that defense just like Jerry Jones said that they could and would once they traded Micah Parsons," Schefter said on his podcast. "I'm not telling you they'll be able to pull anything off. But I would not be surprised if we hear Dallas at the very least inquiring about the availability of various defensive players and ultimately trading for one."
Based on a report from Tuesday, Schefter is not only right but the Cowboys are asking around about elite players.
Report indicates Cowboys inquired about Maxx Crosby
Per NFL insider Trey Wingo, the Cowboys have "made inquiries" with the Las Vegas Raiders about a potential trade for elite edge rusher Maxx Crosby. A two-time second-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Crosby is one of the league's best defenders.
Crosby entered the 2025 season as one of four players with over 300 pressures in the last four seasons, per The 33rd Team. The four-man club was made up of him, Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, and Myles Garrett. That's the kind of player we're talking about here.
Trading for Crosby would likely take at least one first-round draft pick, as well as taking on a large contract that includes $30 million in guaranteed salary for the 2026 NFL season and runs through 2029, per
But is a trade for Crosby feasible from the Raiders' point of view? I reached out to A to Z Sports' Raiders expert Justin Churchill for his insight.
Crosby is unlikely to be moved from Raiders
"There’s not many people covering the Raiders that believe Maxx Crosby will be traded. Of course, as the season goes on and the team gets worse, that could start to change. This offseason the Raiders made Crosby the highest paid non-quarterback in the league before Myles Garrett got his deal. He’s a Raider through and through, and the only player left that embodies what it truly means to be a Raider. This team is bad, but Crosby is the team. Trading him away just feels like something that would put both head Pete Carroll's and general manager John Spytek’s jobs on the line.
"Owner Mark Davis loves Crosby and wants him to be in silver and black for his entire career. The only way I could see this happening, is if Crosby demands a trade, and even then I think the Raiders would want to try and make things work. Crosby has had a great start to the season despite being on such a bad team. It’s his seventh year in the league, and he’s only made the playoffs once, so maybe that would be enticing to him. But even then, Crosby is just so loyal, maybe even loyal to a fault." -
Even if not Crosby, Cowboys could be eyeing a blockbuster deal
Last week, Yahoo Sports NFL insider Charles Robinson also indicated the Cowboys could be in the mix for a big trade.
"Multiple sources across the league told Yahoo Sports this week they believe Jones will be listening for a plus-sized talent — on the level of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson or Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons — if Dallas is in the playoff hunt at the end of October," Robinson wrote.
In recent memory, the Cowboys have erred on the side of caution when it comes to team building. Could an elite offense like the one they have this year—fueled by Prescott's best football ever—entice Jones to go all-in in the same year that
Kyle Shanahan Opens Up About Brock Purdy’s Struggles as 49ers Starting Quarterback
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has addressed the recent struggles of Brock Purdy, the team’s starting quarterback, in a candid interview. After a promising start to his tenure as the 49ers' leader, Purdy has faced growing challenges that have raised questions about his long-term future as the team's signal-caller.
Shanahan acknowledged that Purdy's performance had dipped in recent weeks, citing various factors that have contributed to his struggles. "Brock has shown flashes of brilliance, but we’ve seen inconsistencies that we need to address," Shanahan said. "The expectations are high, and he knows that. There are moments where he’s played great, but there are other times when he’s not executing the way we need him to."
Purdy, who became the 49ers' starting quarterback after injuries to other key players, initially earned rave reviews for his ability to step in and perform under pressure. However, as the season has progressed, his inconsistency has led to some concern among the fanbase and within the organization. Shanahan pointed to a mix of factors, including the pressure of being a starting quarterback and the complexities of the 49ers' offensive system, as contributing to Purdy’s struggles.
"Being the starting quarterback of a team like ours, with high expectations and a lot of talent around you, is never easy," Shanahan explained. "Brock is still learning and adjusting to the role, and we have to support him through these tough patches. It’s part of the process."
Despite the recent setbacks, Shanahan remains confident in Purdy's potential and his ability to bounce back. "He’s a tough kid, and he’s shown resilience. We’re not giving up on him," Shanahan continued. "We’ll work through the issues, and I believe he can get back on track."
Purdy, for his part, has expressed a strong commitment to improving and learning from his mistakes. "I know I’ve got to be better," Purdy said after the latest loss. "I’m not satisfied with where I am, but I’m taking it day by day and focusing on getting better every week."
As the 49ers prepare for the rest of the season, the pressure is on Purdy to regain his earlier form and lead the team effectively. Shanahan's support remains steadfast, but the team will need Purdy to perform at a higher level if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
