If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Cowboys Twitter or lurking in the deep corners of Reddit after a loss, you’ve probably seen the finger-pointing. Usually, it's aimed at the quarterback or the head coach. But lately, there’s been a quieter, more nuanced debate bubbling up about the interior of the defensive line. At the center of it all is Osa Odighizuwa.
He’s not the flashiest name on the roster. He doesn't have the "Lion" branding of Micah Parsons or the ball-hawk reputation of DaRonthany Bland. Yet, Jerry Jones and the front office didn't blink when they handed him a four-year, $80 million contract extension in March 2025.
That’s a lot of cash for a guy who many casual fans couldn't pick out of a lineup.
The reality? Odighizuwa is the connective tissue of this defense. He’s the "engine," as former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus famously called the three-technique spot. But in a 2025 season where the Cowboys' run defense looked like a revolving door at times—giving up an average of 146 rushing yards per game—some are wondering if that $20 million annual price tag was an overpay.
The $80 Million Question: Is Osa Odighizuwa the Problem or the Solution?
Let’s look at the numbers because they tell a weird, conflicting story. In 2025, Odighizuwa finished with just 3 sacks. If you’re just looking at the box score, you’re probably thinking, “We paid $20 million a year for three sacks?” But hang on.
Advanced metrics from PFF paint a totally different picture. Odighizuwa actually finished 6th among all defensive interiors in total pressures with 52. He was 14th in pressure rate. Basically, he was living in the backfield, even if he wasn't always the one to bring the quarterback to the turf.
He’s a disruptor.
The problem in 2025 wasn’t necessarily Osa; it was the chaos around him. When the secondary is blowing coverages and the linebackers are over-pursuing, a defensive tackle’s pressure doesn't matter much. The ball is gone in 1.8 seconds. You can be the best three-tech in the world, but if the guy behind you misses a gap fill, the running back is still gone for twenty yards.
Why the Cowboys Bet Big on Number 97
Dallas knew they couldn't let him walk. The DT market has exploded, and had Osa hit the open market, he likely would have seen offers pushing $22 million or $23 million a year. By locking him down early, the Cowboys avoided the nightmare of using a $25 million franchise tag.
- Durability is his superpower. Since being drafted in 2021, the guy has essentially been an ironman. He hasn’t missed a game. In a league where everyone is one turf-toe away from the IR, that availability is worth its weight in gold.
- The Scheme Fit. Whether it was Dan Quinn’s "attack" style or the more read-and-react looks we saw under Eberflus, Osa’s twitchiness at 280 pounds makes him a nightmare for guards.
- Leadership. With veterans like DeMarcus Lawrence hitting the twilight of their careers, Odighizuwa has stepped up as a captain. He’s the one telling the media, “It’s not good enough, plain and simple,” after a bad loss.
What to Expect in 2026: A New Era?
As we head into 2026, the Cowboys are once again at a crossroads. Matt Eberflus is out. The search for a new defensive coordinator is wide open, with names like Ravens DC Zach Orr and Jim Leonhard floating around the Star in Frisco.
What does this mean for Osa Odighizuwa and the Cowboys?
It means he has to adapt—again. This will be his fourth coordinator in as many years. That’s a lot of new terminology and different gap responsibilities for a guy who is supposed to be the anchor.
Honestly, the biggest help for Osa in 2026 won't come from a coaching hire, but from the development of Mazi Smith and the addition of guys like Kenny Clark and Solomon Thomas. Osa is a "sneaky strong" penetrator, but he needs a massive human next to him to eat up double teams so he can work one-on-one against guards. When he gets that one-on-one? He wins. Often.
The Misconception of "Small" Defensive Tackles
There’s this persistent myth that Osa is "too small" at 280 pounds to be an elite DT. Sure, he’s not a 330-pound space-eater. But the modern NFL is moving away from those guys anyway. You need interior pass rush to stop the Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allens of the world.
You need Osa.
He wins with hand fighting and leverage. If you watch his film, his ability to "dip and rip" under a 315-pound guard is elite. He uses his wrestling background to win the leverage battle before the lineman even gets his hands locked. It’s technical. It’s pretty. And it’s why the front office values him more than the average fan who just wants to see sack dances.
Your Move: How to Watch Osa in 2026
If you want to actually see if Osa is playing well next season, don't look for his name in the tackle column. Look for the "color" of the pocket.
If the quarterback is constantly stepping up or drifting into the arms of the edge rushers because the middle of the pocket is collapsing, that’s Osa doing his job. If the Cowboys' defense finally fixes their "look in the mirror" issues and stops the run, expect Osa's sack numbers to naturally jump back up to that 5-7 range we saw earlier in his career.
Next Steps for Cowboys Fans:
- Track the DC Hire: Watch for a coordinator who prefers an "aggressive one-gap" system. This is where Osa thrives because it lets him use his speed to penetrate instead of catching blocks.
- Monitor the Snaps: Osa played a massive 77.9% of defensive snaps in 2024. If the Cowboys can rotate more effectively in 2026, he’ll be fresher in the fourth quarter when the game is on the line.
- Advanced Stats over Box Scores: Follow sites like PFF or Next Gen Stats. Look for "Pressure Rate" and "Pass Rush Win Rate." These are the metrics that actually earn a $20 million salary in today's NFL.
The Cowboys have made their bed with Osa Odighizuwa. They've bet that he is an elite-tier disruptor who can lead a defense through a coaching transition. Now, it’s on the scheme and the supporting cast to make sure that $80 million investment actually leads to a deep January run.