Because nothing says “measured roster building” like chasing the next shiny edge rusher two weeks before the deadline, the Cowboys are now being tied to Raiders star Maxx Crosby.

NFL insider Trey Wingo says Dallas has “made inquiries.” Minutes later, other plugged-in reporters say the Cowboys haven’t called at all, though, sure, they’ve probably talked about him in-house.

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Translation: welcome to Rumor Season, where everyone has a source and no one has a spine.

Clarence Hill reports no contact with Las Vegas but concedes there’s internal interest. Bryan Broaddus calls the report premature and suggests the smoke is coming from the Raiders’ side. That’s convenient.

When a team is going nowhere under a first-year coach, pumping a superstar’s market with “Cowboys interest” is an age-old leverage trick. Jerry Jones’ phone becomes a prop, and Dallas fans become the farm for engagement.

Let’s be adults. Acquiring Crosby would cost a first-round pick plus something with a pulse, perhaps an impact player or more premium capital. The Cowboys already detonated their pass-rush identity by shipping Micah Parsons to Green Bay.

Now we’re supposed to believe they’ll patch the PR hole by paying top dollar for another headliner? That’s not a plan, that’s a headline.

Crosby’s résumé is undeniable. Four Pro Bowls, 63.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and he’d instantly upgrade a rotation that’s been trying to convince us “pressure by committee” isn’t just code for “we’ll see.”

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But until someone in Dallas or Vegas puts a name to a price, this is just deadline theater. Agents are stirring the pot, teams are gauging leverage, and everyone is not-so-subtly nudging the Cowboys to blink.

Could it happen? Sure. Will it? Only if Dallas decides the Parsons hangover is worth a blockbuster aspirin. Until then, enjoy the clicks. The rumor mill is the only thing guaranteed to get home.