In a covert negotiation maneuver, the Dallas Cowboys successfully secured the services of standout defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa in a groundbreaking deal announced on Tuesday. The agreement, brokered by his agent, entails a lucrative $80 million contract spanning four years, with a staggering $58 million guaranteed, setting a new standard in the realm of defensive player contracts. This groundbreaking development unfolded mere hours before the looming deadline for NFL clubs to enact the franchise tag on a single player. Odighizuwa had been a prime contender for the $25 million tag designated for elite defensive tackles.
Agent Sam Leaf Ireifej officially confirmed the monumental deal to The Associated Press, revealing that the contractual framework also comprises a substantial $20 million signing bonus. Odighizuwa, a rising star in the league, originally hailing from the ranks of the 2021 third-round draft picks, has remarkably transformed into one of the Dallas Cowboys’ premier defensive linemen. Notably, he stood shoulder to shoulder with renowned pass rusher Micah Parsons, jointly leading the club with an impressive tally of 23 quarterback hits throughout the previous season.
The reemergence of Odighizuwa into the Cowboys’ defensive lineup coincides with the appointment of Matt Eberflus as the new defensive coordinator under the tutelage of first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Focusing on bolstering their defensive prowess, the team is poised to address its historical weaknesses in stopping the run, emphasizing the strategic significance of Odighizuwa’s return to the squad.
Amidst the off-season roster deliberations, Odighizuwa is among a cohort of 20 unrestricted free agents for the Cowboys, a notable list that also includes defensive stalwarts DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston. With Parsons poised to enter the final year of his rookie contract, speculation looms regarding his potential ascent to becoming the highest-paid defensive player in the league. Foreseen to form a formidable interior defensive line duo alongside third-year nose tackle Mazi Smith, a top-tier 2023 first-round selection, Odighizuwa is destined to further fortify the Cowboys’ defensive front.
Building on a remarkable performance record, Odighizuwa notched a career-high 4 1/2 sacks in the previous season, elevating his career total to an impressive 13 1/2 sacks over the course of his four-season tenure. Additionally, his exceptional tally of 47 total tackles last season stands as a testament to his unwavering defensive prowess and relentless on-field presence.
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