Dallas Cowboys Expected to Use Franchise Tag on Osa Odighizuwa as Micah Parsons' Contract Looms

The team faces financial challenges as they prioritize retaining key defensive players before the free agency deadline.

The Dallas Cowboys plan to place a $25.1 million franchise tag on defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa if a long-term deal is not reached by Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline.
Odighizuwa, a 26-year-old defensive anchor, recorded career-high stats in 2024, including 4.5 sacks and 54 pressures, second only to Micah Parsons on the team.
The franchise tag would give the Cowboys until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract, but it risks limiting financial flexibility for other deals.
Micah Parsons, a key defensive player with 52.5 career sacks, is seeking a lucrative extension, potentially surpassing Nick Bosa's $170 million contract.
Balancing Odighizuwa's tag and Parsons' extension poses significant salary cap challenges for the Cowboys, who aim to retain their defensive core.