Osa Odighizuwa: Is a Trade Looming for the Dallas Cowboys?

The Dallas Cowboys are currently navigating a tight salary cap situation, sitting $11.48 million over the limit as of this writing. With the new league year fast approaching on Wednesday at 4 pm ET, significant adjustments are needed. While the Cowboys have restructured some contracts, the future of their defensive tackle rotation, particularly Osa Odighizuwa, remains uncertain.

Trade Talk Surrounding Odighizuwa

According to Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan, Osa Odighizuwa’s name surfaced during trade discussions for Maxx Crosby, sparking interest from other teams. “The name that gets mentioned is Osa Odighizuwa. If he was part of the process (to get Crosby), if he was part of what the Cowboys were willing to move on from, I would be interested to see if he’s still a part of some other deals. But it sounds like there were some teams that were calling once they found out that Osa Odighizuwa was available,” Broaddus reported.

Cowboys insider Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan echoed these sentiments, noting that the Cowboys haven’t touched the contracts of their defensive tackles yet. “And I think that’s because they don’t know what switches they’re flipping yet because they don’t want to flip a switch on a guy and then move him. And I think that might be Osa Odighizuwa…,” Belt explained. This hesitation suggests the Cowboys are seriously considering options involving the young defensive tackle.

The Kenny Clark Factor

Adding another layer to the situation, the Cowboys are reportedly in negotiations with Kenny Clark regarding a contract extension. Clark’s contract is particularly appealing due to the lack of remaining guaranteed money, offering Dallas a potential $21.5 million in cap savings with no dead money. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker praised Clark as the “best nose tackle in football” during his time with the Green Bay Packers.

Impact on Playing Time and Value

The potential addition of Clark would inevitably impact Osa Odighizuwa’s playing time. While snaps will be available, the Cowboys may question whether it’s prudent to have a player with an $80 million investment playing only 50% of the snaps.

However, the question remains: what could the Cowboys realistically get in return for Osa Odighizuwa? A third-round draft pick is considered the best-case scenario, with a fourth-rounder being more likely. The front office is likely weighing the value of a Day 3 pick against keeping a proven, albeit potentially underutilized, player.

A Surprising Possibility?

Trading Osa Odighizuwa would be a surprising move, but the speculation surrounding Kenny Clark suggests the Cowboys might be more willing to part with their former third-round pick than previously anticipated. The team is clearly exploring all avenues to alleviate their salary cap pressure and build a competitive roster. The coming days will be crucial in determining Osa Odighizuwa’s future in Dallas.

For more insights into NFL salary cap management, check out resources from Spotrac and OverTheCap.