The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Osa Odighiziwa are engaged in contract negotiations, but if a long-term deal cannot be reached, the team is prepared to use the franchise tag on the talented defender.
According to sources close to the situation, the Cowboys are eager to retain Odighiziwa’s services, but the two sides have yet to come to an agreement on a contract extension. With the NFL’s franchise tag deadline looming, the team is considering using the tag to ensure Odighiziwa remains in Dallas for the 2025 season.
The franchise tag would guarantee Odighiziwa a salary of approximately $18 million for the 2025 season, which is a significant increase over his current salary. However, it’s unclear whether Odighiziwa would be willing to play under the tag, or if he would instead seek a long-term deal.
Odighiziwa, who was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has developed into a key member of the team’s defensive line. He has recorded 10 sacks and 25 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, and his presence in the middle of the defensive line has been a major factor in the Cowboys’ success.
While the franchise tag would provide the Cowboys with some certainty at the defensive tackle position, it’s not an ideal solution for either side. The team would prefer to sign Odighiziwa to a long-term deal, which would provide him with financial security and allow the team to maintain salary cap flexibility.
For his part, Odighiziwa has expressed a desire to remain with the Cowboys, but he is also seeking a contract that reflects his value to the team. If the two sides cannot come to an agreement, the franchise tag may be the only way for the Cowboys to retain Odighiziwa’s services.
The situation is expected to come to a head in the coming days, as the NFL’s franchise tag deadline approaches. One way or another, the Cowboys and Odighiziwa will have to resolve their contract situation, and the outcome will have a significant impact on the team’s defensive line for the 2025 season.
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