Report: Osa Odighizuwa to Get Cowboys Franchise Tag If Contract Not Reached by Tuesday

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly planning on doing what is necessary to keep defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa for the 2025 season.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday that Dallas plans to use the franchise tag on Odighizuwa if it is unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal by Tuesday. The franchise tag is projected to be $25.1 million.

It seems like there is work to be done considering NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the Cowboys are "not particularly close, but they're working to try and somehow get this done."

New head coach Brian Schottenheimer made it clear there is interest.

"I think there's a lot of ongoing conversations," Schottenheimer told reporters. "Obviously, Osa has done a terrific job for us. He's a terrific young player. He does everything right, and as the communications keep going. It's never done until it's done, but he'd be a guy we'd love to have back."

Dallas has taken strides toward keeping its foundational cornerstones by signing quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to new contracts ahead of the 2024 campaign. A new deal for pass-rusher Micah Parsons is looming as well, which could make paying Odighizuwa more difficult, but there is no questioning his value.

The defensive tackle is just 26 years old and appeared in all 17 games in each of the last three seasons.

He notched 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one pass defended and one forced fumble last season while serving as a run stuffer in the middle who also eats double teams and creates blitzing lanes for Parsons and others.

Life is never easy for opposing offensive lines that have to deal with Odighizuwa and Parsons at the same time, and keeping them together for the foreseeable future would help the Cowboys compete in the NFC East.

But the front office might have to settle for a franchise tag if it can't close the gap in contract discussions.