The Dallas Cowboys understand that this offseason is crucial. They didn't make the playoffs this past season, and to make matters worse, their rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
The Cowboys have made a bunch of changes along the coaching staff, and now it's about improving this roster. Dallas has a couple of players hitting the open market, including defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.
According to Mike Fisher of Athlon Sports, the Cowboys are close to an extension with the 26-year-old.
He wrote, "A source close to the situation tells CowboysCountry.com that there is so much "progress'' in the club's negotiations with Osa that they are "very close'' to a done deal. The source adds that the new contract is expected to come in at more than $21 million per year."
BREAKING - Source: #Cowboys are 'very close' to done deal with Osa Odighizuwa ... should come in above $21 million per year. Stay tuned. https://t.co/AtwSkeuvqA pic.twitter.com/k4EPYWBcoZ
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) February 27, 2025
Cowboys Inching Closer to Extension With Osa Odighizuwa
If the Cowboys lock Odighizuwa down at $21 million a year, that would tie him as the 13th highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL with New England Patriots' Christian Barmore and San Francisco 49ers' Javon Hargrave. Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans comes in at $23.5 million, and that puts him at No. 7 in terms of salary among defensive tackles. Odighizuwa's deal will likely come around these marks.
Odighizuwa was a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Cowboys and has provided them with an athletic disruptor along the interior. One of the best parts of Odighizuwa is his availability. He's played in at least 16 games in all four seasons.
In 67 career games (63 starts), the UCLA product has notched 172 total tackles, 28 TFLs, 58 QB hits, and 13.5 sacks. This past season, he finished with a 68.1 overall grade (38th among 219 eligible defenders) and a 78.5 pass-rush grade (11th among 219 eligible defenders).
The Cowboys love what they've seen from him over the last four seasons and are seeking to keep him around.
Stephen Jones recently said, "We have had negotiations with Osa. I just think Osa is a really good football player... He’s an important piece."
This would be a great start to the offseason and sends a great message to the locker room.