The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly close to an agreement to keep defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa on a long-term contract with the franchise.
A source close to the situation informed Mike Fisher of Athlon Sports that Dallas is “very close” to agreeing on terms of a contract with Odighizuwa.
This source also indicated that the contract is expected to be signed for more than $21 million a season, making Odighizuwa one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL.
A contract with an average annual salary of exactly $21 million would tie him for the 12th highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, according to Spotrac.
With the current belief that Odighizuwa will make slightly more than the $21 million he is projected to earn, the contract could move him into the top 10 of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league.
Odighizuwa is coming off the best season of his career in 2024. After being drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, he collected career highs in total tackles (47) and sacks (4.5).
Although one source informed Fisher that the two sides were close to a contract agreement, another source provided the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport with different information about the discussions.
Rapoport said on Thursday that the two sides “are not particularly close” to agreeing on an extension, adding that they are “working to try and somehow get this done,” according to Bleacher Report.
Dallas will likely try to finish negotiations before the NFL free agency period begins on March 12. The league’s legalized tampering period begins shortly before, on March 10.
This news surrounding a potential contract extension comes after Cowboys Chief Operating Officer and Co-owner Stephen Jones called Odighizuwa an “important piece” of the team.
“We have had negotiations with Osa,” Jones added, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
“I just think Osa is a really good football player.”
Dallas will also have to negotiate contract extensions with multiple players this offseason, including cornerback Jourdan Lewis, running back Rico Dowdle, and edge rusher Micah Parsons.