Heading into the offseason many presumed the Dallas Cowboys had reached the end of the road with Osa Odighizuwa. There exists no ill will on either side, just the belief that the team would not pursue him ahead of free agency.
Odighizuwa has proven a model of consistency since joining the team in 2021 and has not missed a game the last three seasons. Nothing about a potential Cowboys decision reflected anything about him.
But the team's overtly restrained efforts last spring and summer after claiming they were "all in" for the 2024 season soured any hopes for much spending this time around. A hopefully forthcoming Micah Parsons extension and existing salary cap restraints have not helped that cause either.
That changed this past week when reports surfaced that the team had begun discussions with Odighizuwa. Those positive talks progressed throughout the week and it seemed a deal was close.
Over the weekend, those expectations have been tempered and the outlook of these talks has changed.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler indicated Sunday that the Cowboys have set a deadline for Tuesday to reach a deal with Odighizuwa. If there is no long-term deal done by then, the team plans to utilize the franchise tag on the defensive tackle.
That tag is estimated at $25.1 million. Some are misunderstanding this as “shocking.” But this may be done to buy the team more time, projecting as more of a temporary measure.
Therefore … That’s not in conflict with CowboysCountry.com’s report that the two sides are “very close” to a deal.
Again. If Dallas uses the tag, it is still about a placeholder and a retention of OSA’s rights … as talks can continue.
As the two sides sort through these matters, it is a positive indicator that the Cowboys have the motive to bring Odighizuwa back. He tallied 47 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season, continuing his outstanding play on the Cowboys' defensive line.
Dallas has a busy offseason ahead on the defensive side, already starting with Matt Eberflus taking over as defensive coordinator. It appears talks with Micah Parsons could shift into gear soon and the team has also expressed their intentions of returning several veteran contributors including Jourdan Lewis and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Following the debacles of last offseason, Cowboys Nation has not had much reason to believe in much activity this spring. But escalated talks with Odighizuwa's camp last week changed that tune and now provides at least some evidence that Dallas will be active in the coming weeks.
