The Dallas Cowboys would be smart to get their ducks in a row before free agency kicks off in two weeks.
While they obviously can’t sign players outside the organization, they have a number of key free agents they can lock up before they test the open market.
Micah Parsons isn’t a free agent, but he will sign an extension this offseason if only because he’s slated to have the third-highest cap hit ($24.007 million) on the team next season. if he plays out his fifth-year option. Dallas can save $18.269 million on the cap by extending Parsons.
As far as free agents go, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has to be a top priority. Executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters at the NFL Combine that the team is entrenched in negotiations with Odighizuwa. Whether that results in a deal is another story, but it is encouraging nonetheless that talks have started.
Jones’ revelation confirmed a report from the Dallas Morning News that the Cowboys and Odighizuwa have started the negotiation process. No less than 24 hours after that report ad shortly after Jones’ remarks, Odighizuwa took to Instagram with a rather cryptic message.
Cowboys star Osa Odighizuwa sends cryptic message to Dallas amid contract talks
Odighizuwa shared a photo on his Instagram story with his agent. The caption reads: “Glad to have you in my corner bro!!!” (h/t to Brandon Loree of Blogging The Boys for finding the post).
As Loree says, read into it however you please.
It’s important to Odighizuwa’s post doesn’t hint one way or another if the two sides are close to reaching an agreement; the same way it doesn’t mean they are far apart in negotiations. If nothing else, it confirms Odighizuwa and the front office are having positive talks.
Both Pro Football Focus and The 33rd Team project Odighizuwa to sign for more than $20 million per year. That may be considered steep for a player who isn’t a household name, but it is bone-chilling to think about Dallas’ defense without Odighizuwa lined up at three-technique tackle.
The bottom line is Odighizuwa is a top-three most important player on the defense. Not only is he durable (he hasn’t missed a game in his career), but he’s gotten better every season. He also played his best under the pressure of a contract year, posting career-highs in pressures, sacks and quarterback hits.
In the past the Cowboys have jumped the gun with extensions for Michael Gallup, Jaylon Smith and Terence Steele. They arguably should have extended Odighizuwa last offseason, but he’s exactly the player you want to sign to a long-term deal regardless of the cost.
Hopefully this ends with Odighizuwa in a Cowboys uniform for the foreseeable future.
