DALLAS — One day after the Dallas Cowboys cleared a little more than $19 million in cap space, Jeff Cavanaugh said on Trust the Tape that the number Dallas landed on was not an accident. Maxx Crosby’s 2026 base salary is $30 million.
Cavanaugh hosts the show with former Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus, and Friday’s episode streamed live on Cavanaugh’s YouTube channel.
ESPN’s Todd Archer reported Thursday night that the Cowboys converted Kenny Clark’s $8.8 million base salary, DaRon Bland’s $12 million base salary, and Jake Ferguson’s $7.25 million base salary into signing bonuses. According to the NFL Players Association, Dallas had roughly $14.2 million in cap space before the three contracts were reworked.
Cavanaugh’s math put the total somewhere between $33 million and $34 million.
“They already had over $14 million. They just cleared $19. So they now have $33 million in cap space, somewhere between $33 and $34,” Cavanaugh said. “And Brian, I’m not saying anything. All I’m telling you is that Maxx Crosby’s base salary is $30 million. $30 million fits into $33 or $34 million. That’s all I’m telling you.”
What Jeff Cavanaugh Would Give Up For Maxx Crosby
The price Cavanaugh would pay starts with a first-round pick and possibly a second, and he does not want to wait for the trade deadline.
“I want Maxx Crosby today. I want him for 17,” Cavanaugh said. “I’m not here to blow smoke. I’m just here to tell you that this is one dumb ass’s opinion. They did not coincidentally get to an amount under the cap that fits Maxx. It’s not a coincidence. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I don’t know if it’ll actually happen,” Cavanaugh continued. “I don’t know if it’ll happen Week 1 or if it requires the Raiders sucking. I don’t know if the situation’s wrong, they won’t do it, they’ll carry that cap space to next year. There’s a lot of things you could do. I’m just saying the fact that you can now fit him and you couldn’t before, not a coincidence.”
The carryover scenario Cavanaugh raised is the one Dallas beat reporters have described. DLLS Sports’ Clarence Hill reported Thursday, citing a source, that the Cowboys created the room to roll over into 2027 and not for a move this year at this time. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported the same day that the restructures were not a prelude to an immediate trade.
Broaddus said the question is whether the numbers simply worked out or whether Dallas is trying to make something happen, and he does not want to wait either.
“If I’m not waiting for Maxx Crosby for a midseason trade deadline thing, I’m not,” Broaddus said. “If we’re going to do this, let’s go. Let’s get him. Maybe that’s the one piece that Christian Parker needs. Maybe that he feels like, listen, I’ve got some guys.”
“If we’re going to do this deal, let’s go,” Broaddus explained later in the segment. “Let’s make it where the Raiders can’t say no and take it and go and take advantage of the situation.”
Broaddus also said he believes the Cowboys are finished at defensive end for now after adding Von Miller, whom he called a cheaper bridge in case the younger ends do not develop.
The Two Previous Dallas Cowboys Runs At Maxx Crosby
Ahead of last November’s deadline, the Cowboys called the Las Vegas Raiders about Crosby, and Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that Las Vegas turned Dallas down. Hours before the Nov. 4 deadline, the Cowboys instead sent a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the New York Jets for Quinnen Williams.
In March, Dallas offered the 12th overall pick and a 2027 second-round pick, sources told ESPN. The Raiders took Baltimore’s package of the No. 14 pick and a 2027 first-rounder on March 6. Crosby took his physical in Baltimore on March 10, and the Baltimore Ravens backed out that night. ESPN later reported the evaluation turned up a degenerative issue in Crosby’s left knee, the one he had meniscus surgery on in January.
Three days after the Baltimore agreement, Dallas acquired Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
“We did not walk away. That’s about all there is to say,” Jerry Jones said of the Crosby talks in July, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
Maxx Crosby’s Contract And Numbers
All $30 million of Crosby’s 2026 base salary is fully guaranteed, according to Over The Cap, and his $29 million salary for 2027 became fully guaranteed in March. The money comes from the three-year, $106.5 million extension he signed in March 2025, which runs through 2029.
Crosby played 15 games last season and finished with 10.0 sacks, 73 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and one interception. Through seven seasons, he has 69.5 sacks in 110 games and five straight Pro Bowl selections. He turned 29 on Aug. 22 and played his high school football at Colleyville Heritage.
Las Vegas finished 3-14 last season and took quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall in April. The Raiders open Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium, with kickoff at 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10.
Dallas opens the same night at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
