A new strategy in Dallas?
During the run up to free agency, Dallas Cowboys fans have become used to the team sitting back.
Dallas has long stayed away from blockbuster moves and focused instead on getting deals done to bring back their own guys once the initial flurry of activity has passed.
An interesting story broke earlier this week, and it looks like the Cowboys are going to be more aggressive.
Per Nathan Karenso on Athlon Sports the Cowboys are close to agreeing a contract with pending free agent Osa Odighizuwa.
Assuming the deal for the defensive tackle gets done, this is fantastic news for the Cowboys.
Odighizuwa about to breakout?
After a slow start where whole defence struggled, Odighizuwa came on strong down the stretch in 2024.
If stats are your thing, Odighizuwa ranked third in defensive tackles for quarterback pressures and fourth in pass-rush win rate (via PFF).
Given the Cowboys struggles – especially against the run – and their need to get better across the defensive line, Dallas cannot let their best interior lineman walk in free agency.
Less passive, more aggressive?
This proactive approach from the Dallas front office may have been down to Odighizuwa holding all the cards as a sought-after player in this period of free agency.
Generally considered the top defensive tackle available this March, Odighizuwa is expected to cash in to the tune of $18-21 million per year.
For the Cowboys, it is the first of many important deals to retain their own players this season. Next up the Cowboys need to turn their attention to signing Micah Parsons to a new contract.
Parsons is due to be playing the 2025 season on the fifth year option of his rookie deal.
While the Cowboys have again made the same mistakes by not tying down one of their own draft picks to a long term contract earlier, they still have the opportunity to secure a deal that is great for both the player and the franchise.
Has stubbornness finally relented?
Hopefully, the senior leadership of the Cowboys have recognised that letting contract negotiations for Dak Prescott (twice) and CeeDee Lamb rumble on all offseason had negative impacts both financially and on the field. Maybe the front-office have also finally realised that early action is necessary in roster building when you have lots of holes on your squad.
The Parsons deal holds the key to what the Cowboys can achieve in free agency.
While I do not expect them to go out and be really aggressive, they do need to be able to give themselves room to work with.
The Cowboys need to build out the depth of talent on this roster that is currently looking bare.
Fingers crossed the Odighizuwa contract is confirmed and then Parsons signs shortly after. This will give me hope that there is a clear plan this offseason and that the Cowboys can build a roster to compete in 2025.
