FRISCO — He may not receive the public acclaim of some of his teammates but Osa Odighizuwa’s role on the Dallas Cowboys defense has brought unquestioned value since the team selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Odighizuwa has not missed a game in the last three seasons, becoming a monstrous asset at the center of the Cowboys’ defensive front. Playing alongside the likes of DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, he has developed into somewhat of a secondary star in Dallas.
“Star” is the key element here because his 2024 campaign has him set for a major pay day once free agency opens up. Odighizuwa finished the season with career highs in total tackles (47) and sacks (4.5), remaining effective even when some bigger names, including Parsons, missed time with injury.
(Tim Heitman-Imagn Images)
Looking at the prospects of his free agency, they have not been all that promising from the Cowboys’ perspective. Dallas has an abundance of needs across the roster that will not just be solved during the NFL Draft.
They will need to reel in some pieces in free agency while working out an extension for Parsons potentially this summer. Many fans thought this combination of moving pieces combined with an existing slim margin in regard to the cap could spell the end of Odighizuwa’s tenure at The Star.
Not just yet. According to The Dallas Morning News, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones has revealed that the team has begun negotiations with their outstanding defensive tackle.
“We have had negotiations with Osa,” Jones said. “I just think Osa is a really good football player…He’s an important piece.” The team has not ruled out using the franchise or transition tag on Odighizuwa.
Retaining him would be a major development not only to keep him from potentially signing with a rival team, but also solidifying the defensive tackle position that lacks any visible depth beyond Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith.
David Moore also revealed in his piece an overall shift in the mindset of the team heading into free agency, noting plans that hope to see retention of Jourdan Lewis and Rico Dowdle. Contract talks with Micah Parsons are expected to follow.
Focusing back to Odighizuwa though this is a shocking turn in what many thought to be a pursuit the franchise was not willing to make. Nothing is certain yet, but there is suddenly evidence that the Cowboys may finally want to be “all in.”
That promise last offseason fell way short of delivering in any fashion. And until there is tangible proof of that mindset this time around, not many fans will want to buy in at risk of more cheap tricks.
However, given the importance of this offseason, perhaps a deal in the coming weeks for Odighizuwa gets done and the Cowboys shift from their previously passive attitude.
