One of the top would-be defensive free agents is seemingly off the market.
Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has agreed to a four-year, $80-million deal to stay with the Dallas Cowboys, per multiple reports on Tuesday.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, $58 million is guaranteed.
The 26-year-old is coming off a standout campaign, posting a career-high 4.5 sacks through 17 games to go with 47 total tackles, 23 QB hits, five tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. He ranked top 10 on the Cowboys in each of those categories, notably joint-first with star linebacker Micah Parsons for QB hits on the team last season.
Odighizuwa was selected 75th overall by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2021 draft. He’s been a reliable player since entering the league, playing in all 17 games through the last three seasons.
Through 67 games in the NFL, he’s racked up 13.5 sacks, 172 tackles, 28 TFLs, 58 QB hits and two forced fumbles.
The UCLA product was set to become a free agent this off-season, but with a slew of defensive players — DeMarcus Lawrence, Linval Joseph and Carlos Watkins to name a few — also set to join the market, the Cowboys opted to lock down the youngster.
Dallas originally planned to franchise tag Odighizuwa as the two sides worked towards a long-term deal, according to Rapoport, but with free agency a week away, the two sides found common ground. Tagging the DT would’ve come at a reported price of $55 million over two years, so the AAV of $20 million on his new deal offers the team a bit of financial flexibility.
Much-welcomed relief, considering an extension for Parsons still looms.