The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly preparing to place the franchise tag on defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa if they fail to finalize a long-term contract by Tuesday. The tag would be worth an estimated $25.1 million for the 2025 season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
NFL teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to use the franchise tag on pending free agents. If the Cowboys go through with the move, they will have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal with Odighizuwa. If no agreement is reached by that deadline, he would be locked into a one-year contract before hitting free agency next offseason.
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A key piece of Dallas’ defense
Odighizuwa, who just completed his rookie contract, has been a reliable presence for the Cowboys since they selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of UCLA. He has played in 67 consecutive games and is coming off a standout 2024 season, where he recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks, 47 tackles, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and a pass deflection.
Over four seasons in the NFL, he has totaled 172 tackles and 13.5 sacks, making him a crucial part of the Cowboys‘ defensive front.
Franchise tag history and contract negotiations
The Cowboys have not used the franchise tag since 2023, when they placed it on running back Tony Pollard. That situation ultimately ended with Pollard not signing a long-term extension and leaving in free agency.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Odighizuwa is reportedly seeking a deal in the range of $20 million per season. While the Cowboys have expressed interest in securing him with a multi-year contract, negotiations have yet to yield an agreement.
With time running out, Dallas now faces a critical decision-lock in Odighizuwa under the franchise tag or risk losing a key defensive piece in free agency next year.
