March has arrived, marking the approach of a crucial free agency period for the Dallas Cowboys.
After a season that started with playoff aspirations and concluded with a 7-10 record, the Cowboys face significant personnel choices. A key consideration is whether to keep the services of a standout defensive tackle who is probably nearing a substantial contract.
Cowboys COO Stephen Jones states that the team aims to select a ‘young’ QB in this year’s draft, according to ‘The Insiders.’
Twenty-six-year-old Osa Odighizuwa experienced a notable breakout season in 2024, right as he prepared to enter the open market. He established new personal bests in sacks and quarterback hits, but he is more recognized as a leading run-stopper.
Spotrac currently estimates Odighizuwa’s contract at three years and $63 million, which may pose a challenge for Dallas, as they currently have just $3.8 million in cap space, even after adjusting contracts.
On Friday, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz forecasted that Odighizuwa would likely sign with the Detroit Lions, a team that won eight additional games compared to the Cowboys in 2024 but requires a refresh after a disappointing exit in the Divisional Round.
“Following the injury surge from last season, the Lions simply need to acquire as many quality defensive players as they can,” Schatz stated.
As a dynamic interior pass rusher, Odighizuwa might take over for the leaving Levi Onwuzurike and share snaps with Alim McNeill in the front line. He achieved career-best numbers this past season, recording 4.5 sacks and 33 pressures. The latter was tied for second place among interior linemen.
It would undeniably be a logical career decision for Odighizuwa to join the team that shared the NFL’s top record last season. Additionally, the Lions possess $51.5 million in cap space, allowing them to manage his contract quite comfortably if they believed he suited their needs
However, given all that has been mentioned, Dallas understands best the kind of influence Odighizuwa can exert. They might be getting ready to utilize all their resources to ensure he stays in town
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