The Dallas Cowboys were heavily involved throughout the saga surrounding Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, attempting to orchestrate a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. However, the deal ultimately fell apart Tuesday night when the Ravens backed out due to concerns arising from Crosby’s physical examination, stemming from a meniscus repair surgery he underwent during the preseason. The failed trade for Crosby has sent ripples through the NFL, prompting teams to reassess their pass-rush strategies and leaving the Cowboys’ plans in question.
The situation took an unexpected turn when reports surfaced that the Ravens were unhappy with the results of Crosby’s medical evaluation and rescinded the trade offer. This prompted widespread speculation across the league, with teams scrambling to understand the implications of the decision. Initial reports suggested the Cowboys remained interested in pursuing a deal for Crosby, but other league analysts quickly dismissed that possibility.
Cowboys’ Team Physician “Reviewed the Images” of Maxx Crosby’s Knee
ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided insight into the reasons behind the Ravens’ decision, highlighting the role of the Dallas Cowboys’ team physician, Dr. Daniel Cooper. Dr. Cooper is a highly respected figure in the NFL, known for his expertise in orthopedic surgery and his previous work with prominent players like Patrick Mahomes and Malik Davis.
Schefter reported on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, “The Baltimore Ravens ultimately did not pass his physical. And I’m told that several doctors reviewed his MRIs and examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys’ doctor, who operated on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Davis.” He continued, “A lot of teams and players trust Dr. Cooper’s expertise. And Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images where the Ravens felt compelled to pull out of this trade.”
Getty Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys speaks with the team surgeon, Dr. Dan Cooper (hat).
Dr. Cooper’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the medical concerns surrounding Crosby’s knee. Even as the specifics of those concerns haven’t been publicly disclosed, his reputation within the league suggests the Cowboys’ evaluation carried significant weight.
Cowboys Unlikely to Revisit a Crosby Trade
The Cowboys’ decision not to attempt to renegotiate a deal for Crosby, despite their initial interest, suggests they share similar concerns about his long-term durability. The team recently acquired Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers, a move that appears to solidify their pass-rush situation and potentially close the door on any further pursuit of Crosby. Gary’s contract is valued at $41 million over the next two years.
The fact that the Cowboys are not attempting to undo recent transactions, most notably the trade for Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary, indicates a level of concern regarding Crosby’s future durability. The team appears content with the additions they’ve already made to their defensive line.
Maxx Crosby “Attacking His Rehab”
It’s important to note that Dr. Cooper did not perform the initial surgery on Crosby. That procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, another highly respected orthopedic surgeon. Dr. ElAttrache released a statement to ESPN acknowledging the difficulty of the Ravens’ decision but also expressed confidence in Crosby’s rehabilitation progress and anticipated return to play in 2026.
However, that return will not be with the Ravens, nor, it appears, with the Cowboys. Dr. ElAttrache stated, “We deeply respect the work of the Ravens’ staff with Maxx regarding the contract physical. We also understand the challenge facing staff having to make a future risk assessment based on an early evaluation of the recovery process… The timing of this evaluation is unfortunate, as the apparent risk will diminish as his recovery progresses and his return to performance becomes evident in the coming months.” He added, “Max is doing an excellent job with his rehabilitation and his knee is responding very well. We expect Maxx to return to his elite level of performance this season, as planned, and in the years to arrive.”
The failed trade for Maxx Crosby highlights the inherent risks involved in acquiring players with recent injury histories. While Crosby is a proven pass rusher, the Ravens ultimately deemed the medical concerns too significant to proceed with the trade. The Cowboys, after consulting with their own medical staff, appear to have reached a similar conclusion.
The NFL free agency period continues to unfold, and teams are constantly evaluating their options to improve their rosters. The Cowboys, having addressed their pass-rush needs with the acquisition of Rashan Gary, will now focus on other areas of the team as they prepare for the 2026 season. The next key date for the Cowboys is the start of the NFL Draft in April, where they will look to add more talent to their roster.
