Latest on Cowboys’ efforts to re-sign Osa Odighizuwa and DeMarcus Lawrence
The NFL Combine is off and rolling with the news and buzz off the field. While the incoming college talent prepares to perform at Lucas Oil Stadium in front of the 32 teams, front offices and executives are working behind the scenes to nail down some clarity with their respective rosters ahead of free agency in mid-March.
The Cowboys are no different, as they have met with the representation of starting defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa this week and are optimistic that a deal can get done in the coming days to keep one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL home in Dallas before he is set to hit free agency next month.
Although his price tag could command a dollar amount north of $20 million per year, there has been a big internal push to keep Odighizuwa in the fold, namely from new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, according to multiple sources. Eberflus’ defense has a heavy reliance on efficiency from the 3-Tech position and Odighizuwa would be able to provide that if he is indeed extended.
From Odighizuwa’s side, there has been confidence from his camp that he can remain in Dallas as well. In all, momentum is pushing from both sides to keep the UCLA product with the only NFL team he has known.
“There’s a lot of ongoing conversations,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Thursday afternoon. “Obviously, Osa has done a terrific job for us. He’s a terrific young player. He does everything right. As those communications keep going, it’s never done til it’s done, but he’d be a guy we’d love to have back.”
The timing is crucial, as the Cowboys will continue their ongoing conversations on Friday with David Canter, the agent of impending free agents defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, running back Rico Dowdle, cornerback Jourdan Lewis and defensive end Chauncey Golston.
In Lawrence’s case who has been with the franchise since he was drafted in 2014, there has been clear communication from Canter that he can return to Dallas if a certain number is met.
“I’m optimistic in our conversations with the Cowboys that they’re very aware of what it will take to keep DeMarcus a Cowboy,” Canter said to 105.3 The Fan. “Honestly, that’s up to them. It’s not up to us. There’s a number. That number gets done and DeMarcus is wearing 90 and running back on the field.”
Canter also acknowledged how other decisions could impact the potentiality of some of his players returning.
“Free agency and building your roster, it’s not just go get Micah Parsons extended,” he said. “If we get him extended, what does that do to the rest of the roster? It’s not just go pay Osa a big deal. What does that do to Chauncey? What does that do to Jourdan? What does that do to free agents? How do you kick money down the road with the Dak or CeeDee deals? What does that do to the running back position?”
Regardless, dominoes need to fall ahead of free agency for the Cowboys to be what Stephen Jones called “selectively aggressive” in pursuing talent. That first domino could be falling soon.
This story was originally published February 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM.
