Osa Odighizuwa’s Journey and Rise in the NFL

Draft and Early Career

Osa Odighizuwa was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, following a standout career at UCLA. Coming out of college, he had shown a lot of promise, with a strong combination of size, strength, and quickness. While he wasn’t the most high-profile defensive tackle prospect in the class, his upside intrigued the Cowboys’ scouting department.

In his first two seasons, Odighizuwa showed signs of promise as a rotational player on the Cowboys’ defensive line. His rookie year was a learning curve, but by his second year, he began to demonstrate a consistent ability to disrupt plays. During the 2023 season, he earned more playing time and quickly became an essential part of the Cowboys’ defensive front. By 2024, Odighizuwa had cemented himself as one of the team’s top defenders, becoming indispensable to the defensive line, both in rushing the passer and defending the run.

2024 Performance Breakdown

The 2024 season was a breakout year for Odighizuwa. His performance elevated to the next level, marking him as one of the premier young defensive tackles in the NFL. Here are key statistics and highlights from his 2024 campaign:

• Sacks: 7.5 sacks in 2024, his most productive sack season to date.
• Tackles for Loss: 15 tackles for loss, underscoring his ability to penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield.
• Quarterback Hits: A league-leading 20 quarterback hits, showing his relentless pressure and ability to force quarterbacks into hurried throws.
• Run Defense: Known for his physicality, Odighizuwa ranked among the top defensive tackles in terms of run-stop win rate, contributing significantly to the Cowboys’ ability to stifle opposing rushing attacks.

These statistics underline Odighizuwa’s growing dominance, especially in pass rush, where he ranked as one of the top interior pass rushers. His ability to play on all three downs—whether stopping the run, rushing the passer, or being a force in pass coverage situations—made him a complete player, which only boosted his contract value.

Projected Market Value and Contract Negotiations

Market Dynamics for Defensive Tackles

As the NFL continues to evolve, the value of interior defensive linemen has risen significantly. Defensive tackles who can generate pressure on the quarterback while still being stout against the run are increasingly viewed as essential for defensive success. Odighizuwa fits this mold perfectly, making him a prime candidate for a high-paying deal.

Defensive tackle contracts have been steadily increasing in recent years, with players like Aaron Donald, Chris Jones, and Jeffrey Simmons setting the bar for the position. In 2024, for instance, Jones signed a four-year, $85 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs, which is seen as a comparable benchmark for Odighizuwa. Based on Odighizuwa’s performance in 2024 and his projected value, many analysts believe that he will command a deal in the ballpark of $21 million per year.

• Pro Football Focus Projection: A four-year, $85 million contract with $42.5 million guaranteed, averaging $21.5 million annually.
• The 33rd Team Projection: A three-year, $63 million deal, which equates to around $21 million per year.

Such contracts would put Odighizuwa in the upper echelon of defensive tackles, alongside established stars like Jones and Simmons, making his potential contract one of the highest for a young player at his position.

Will the Cowboys Be Able to Match the Market?

The Dallas Cowboys’ financial situation complicates matters. The team’s salary cap is not unlimited, and they have several key players such as Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons already on substantial contracts. These existing commitments take up a significant portion of the Cowboys’ salary cap, making it difficult to extend Odighizuwa at the price he might demand.

To make room for a long-term deal with Odighizuwa, the Cowboys would likely need to make some difficult decisions regarding their roster. Potential restructures of contracts—especially those of Prescott and Parsons could free up some space, but the team will have to navigate these changes carefully, balancing immediate cap flexibility with future financial commitments.

Salary Cap and Financial Strategy for the Cowboys

Current Cap Space

The Cowboys’ financial flexibility is limited, which is why contract restructuring becomes a critical tool. For the 2025 season, the Cowboys’ salary cap is expected to be tight, with much of their cap space already tied up in star players. These financial constraints are particularly challenging as they try to lock in Odighizuwa for the long term.

For example:

• Dak Prescott: The Cowboys’ starting quarterback has one of the highest cap hits in the NFL. However, with some clever restructuring, the Cowboys could convert part of Prescott’s base salary into a signing bonus, creating cap space for Odighizuwa’s contract while extending Prescott’s deal.
• Micah Parsons: As the cornerstone of the defense, Parsons’ contract will also likely need to be adjusted to create room. The Cowboys may decide to offer Parsons an extension earlier than planned to lower his 2025 cap hit.

Franchise Tag: A Temporary Fix

Given the difficulties of working within the salary cap and the time required to negotiate a long-term deal, the franchise tag could be a solution. The franchise tag for a defensive tackle is projected to be around $24 million in 2025. This would allow the Cowboys to retain Odighizuwa for another year at a significant cost but without committing to a long-term deal.

However, using the franchise tag may come with its own set of challenges. The Cowboys would face a massive cap hit for the 2025 season, and while this could buy them time to negotiate a long-term deal, it could also limit the team’s ability to address other needs, such as bolstering the offensive line or adding depth at linebacker.

Alternative Strategies for Retaining Odighizuwa

Restructuring Existing Contracts

As mentioned earlier, restructuring existing contracts is one strategy the Cowboys could employ to free up cap space. Key players like Prescott, Lamb, and Parsons are on contracts that could potentially be adjusted to lower their cap hits in the short term. For example, converting a large portion of Prescott’s salary into a signing bonus could free up significant space for the Cowboys to offer Odighizuwa a competitive contract.

Another possibility is to restructure the deals of veteran players such as DeMarcus Lawrence, who is due for a cap hit in 2025. If the Cowboys restructured these contracts, it could provide them with the necessary room to extend Odighizuwa without sacrificing other areas of the team.

Lowering the Initial Salary for a Long-Term Deal

To ease the financial burden in the short term, the Cowboys could negotiate a deal that includes performance-based incentives and a lower base salary in the initial years. This would allow Odighizuwa to earn more as his contract progresses, while giving the Cowboys more flexibility in the immediate future.

This strategy has been successful in the past for the Cowboys when negotiating with other key players, such as Parsons, whose performance incentives helped balance the team’s financial goals with his market value.

The Competition for Odighizuwa’s Services

As a player coming off a breakout year, Odighizuwa will be one of the most sought-after free agents in 2025. Several teams, including the Washington Commanders, New York Giants, and Cincinnati Bengals, have been rumored to be interested in acquiring his services. These teams are also looking to strengthen their defensive lines and could offer Odighizuwa a lucrative deal.

Given the competition in the market, Odighizuwa could receive offers that exceed what the Cowboys are able to pay. The Cowboys’ primary challenge in retaining him will be outbidding these teams while maintaining their long-term roster flexibility. If other teams offer him the type of deal that the Cowboys are unable or unwilling to match, it could be difficult for Dallas to keep him in the fold.

Conclusion: Will the Cowboys Lock Osa Odighizuwa in for 2025?

The decision on Osa Odighizuwa’s future with the Dallas Cowboys is one of the most pressing issues of the offseason. His growth into one of the league’s top defensive tackles has made him an invaluable asset to the Cowboys, but the financial realities of the salary cap may force the team to make difficult choices.

The Cowboys will have to weigh their options carefully, considering their long-term goals and current financial commitments. If they’re unable to sign Odighizuwa to a long-term deal, they may need to use the franchise tag as a temporary fix, though that would limit their flexibility. Ultimately, the decision will come down to the Cowboys’ ability to manage their salary cap, negotiate creatively, and outbid rival teams for Odighizuwa’s services.

This offseason will be a critical one for both Odighizuwa and the Cowboys as they try to come to an agreement that works for both sides. The resolution of these contract talks will shape the direction of the Cowboys’ defense for years to come.