Cowboys, Osa Odighizuwa Agree To Four-Year Extension
The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa agreed on a four-year, $80 million deal on Tuesday that includes $58 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Agent Sam Leaf Ireifej negotiated the deal. The 26-year-old former third-round pick (75th overall) in 2021 out of UCLA was able to work out an extension with the Cowboys, so Dallas was able to avoid placing the franchise tag on him. In his first four years in the NFL, he ha recorded 172 tackles (99 solo), 13.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 58 QB hits and two forced fumbles in 67 games (63 starts). Odighizuwa's best season came in 2024, where he compiled career-highs in tackles (47), sacks (4.5) and QB hits (23) in 17 starts. The Cowboys will now turn to working on an extension with All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who is in line to become one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league.
ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler write that the Dallas Cowboys are making a play to re-sign defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa before March 10. Graziano thinks the Cowboys have done enough on an extension for Odighizuwa that he wouldn't be surprised if the team uses the franchise tag on him before Tuesday's deadline in order to give them more time to finish his extension. In addition to Odighizuwa, the Cowboys are hopeful of bringing back free-agent cornerback Jourdan Lewis and defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence. If Odighizuwa reaches the open market, he and Philadelphia Eagles' Milton Williams would be considered the top two interior defensive linemen available. The 26-year-old Odighizuwa had career-highs in tackles (47) and sacks (4.5) in 17 games this past season. If he's tagged and cannot reach a long-term extension, he'd make $25.1 million in 2025.
ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer writes that defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa is the only impending free-agent candidate that the Dallas Cowboys would even consider using the franchise tag on this year, but they are unlikely to do so because of the projected cost of more than $23 million against the 2025 salary cap. However, the Cowboys could still make an attempt to sign him before the new league year starts in March. Odighizuwa's position should be very important in new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' scheme, and the 26-year-old managed to set career-highs in sacks (4.5) and QB pressures (54) in 2024. The former third-rounder started all 17 games for Dallas last year and played a career-high 816 defensive snaps. If the Cowboys are unable to re-sign him, Odighizuwa should attract plenty of interest on the open market.
Washington Could Target Osa Odighizuwa In Free Agency
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Washington Commanders could target defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa during free agency. Given his versatility and traits, Fowler noted that teams view Odighizuwa as the top defensive tackle available on the market. Fowler mentioned that Washington is a team to watch as head coach Dan Quinn has been a "big fan" of Odighizuwa's play during their time together in Dallas. During the 2024 season, Odighizuwa appeared in all 18 contests with the Dallas Cowboys and tallied 47 tackles (25 solo) with 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble. This was a slight improvement compared to the 46 tackles and three sacks he tallied during the 2023 campaign. The Commanders struggled to defend the run this season, as they allowed the third-most rushing yards per game this season. Odighizuwa would provide much-needed depth to the interior of their defensive line.
The Dallas Cowboys selected UCLA edge rusher Osa Odighizuwa with the No. 75 overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft on Friday night. Odighizuwa gets excellent leverage on his offensive line opponents and drives them backwards. He could improve on his hand work, and he has some pretty good athleticism at 6-foot-2, 279 pounds. Odighizuwa doesn't exactly stand out on first glance, but he is an overachiever who should be able to create some disruption at the next level. He's the latest of a list of defensive players that the Cowboys have loaded up on in this year's draft. His violent hands at the line of scrimmage have carried him to this point, so it'll be interesting to see if his lack of size hurts him in the NFL.
Osa Odighizuwa
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