NFL News: Osa Odighizuwa, Cowboys Agree to 4-Year, $80M Contract, Avoid Franchise Tag

Osa Odighizuwa is sticking with the team that drafted him four years ago.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Odighizuwa and the Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms on a four-year, $80 million contract on Tuesday to avoid the franchise tag.

The defensive tackle was a third-round draft pick by the Cowboys in 2021 and found success early in his career. As a rookie, he logged 36 tackles, a pair of sacks and six tackles for loss.

He improved his numbers in 2022, recording 43 tackles, four sacks and eight tackles for loss before posting 46 tackles, three sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2023.

Last season, Odighizuwa logged career highs in tackles (47) and sacks (4.5) and picked up five tackles for loss. He led Dallas' defensive tackles in both sacks and tackles in a year of struggles for the Cowboys.

A career year for Odighizuwa was expected to lead to plenty of interest in free agency if he hit the open market, though that never seemed like a real possibility ahead of Tuesday's franchise-tag deadline.

Heading into the offseason, Pro Football Focus listed him as No. 15 on its list of top pending free agents. He was No. 1 among interior defensive linemen.

Odighizuwa still has some work to do to improve his game, mainly as a pass-rusher, but Year 5 could see him emerge as an All-Pro candidate.

The Cowboys dealt with numerous defensive injuries amid a 7-10 season, but Odighizuwa was one player who remained consistent. Now, they'll get at least four more years to watch him shine.