Dallas Cowboys Prioritize Osa Odighizuwa’s Contract as Free Agency Looms

Brian Schottenheimer Speaks at the NFL Combine
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer took the podium on Thursday during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, addressing questions about both the upcoming rookie class and the team’s pending free agents. Among the most pressing concerns is the future of defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who is coming off a breakout season and looking for a major contract extension.

Odighizuwa’s Rise to Defensive Stardom
Selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of UCLA, Odighizuwa has steadily developed into one of the league’s most disruptive interior pass rushers. His ability to penetrate the backfield and pressure quarterbacks has made him a key piece of Dallas’ defensive line.

During the 2024 season, Odighizuwa recorded 47 tackles and 4.5 sacks. More impressively, he led all interior defenders in quarterback hits, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. With numbers like these, it’s no surprise that the 26-year-old is expected to command more than $20 million per season on his next contract.

Schottenheimer’s Praise and the Cowboys’ Stance
While speaking at the Combine, Schottenheimer was asked about the Cowboys’ contract negotiations with Odighizuwa. He didn’t confirm a deal was imminent but made it clear that the team values the defensive tackle highly.

“He’s a terrific player who does everything right,” Schottenheimer said, reinforcing the team’s desire to keep him in Dallas. However, he also acknowledged that nothing is finalized until pen meets paper.

Cowboys leadership, including executive vice president Stephen Jones, has stated that re-signing Odighizuwa is a priority. However, the team’s history of being “selectively aggressive” in free agency has left some fans skeptical about whether they will meet his market value.

Are the Cowboys Ready to Pay Up?
Despite Dallas’ usual cautious approach to high-priced contracts, reports indicate they may be willing to break the mold for Odighizuwa. The Cowboys’ defensive line is in need of stability, and losing one of their top pass rushers would create a significant void.

If the Cowboys do lock in Odighizuwa with a lucrative extension, it would signal a shift in their philosophy—prioritizing defensive dominance and retaining homegrown talent. But with free agency approaching, time is running out for Dallas to prove that their words align with their actions.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Odighizuwa remains a Cowboy or tests the open market. Either way, his future is one of the biggest storylines in Dallas as they prepare for the 2025 season.