Dallas Cowboys Face Familiar Offseason Hurdles as McCarthy Era Ends, Odighizuwa’s Future in Doubt

The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to delayed decisions, and the 2025 offseason is no exception. This week, the franchise finally moved on from head coach Mike McCarthy, who led the team for five seasons. The move comes after Dallas allowed McCarthy’s contract to expire without clarity on his future, blocking him from pursuing opportunities like the Chicago Bears head coaching vacancy. This indecisiveness left the Cowboys at a disadvantage, especially as other teams seized the opportunity to court top coaching candidates.

This slow-play approach isn’t unique to the coaching staff. Historically, the Cowboys have also dragged their feet in free agency, and there’s a growing concern that the trend could repeat itself this offseason. With several in-house free agents hitting the market, Dallas risks losing key contributors, including standout defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.

Osa Odighizuwa: A Rising Star in Demand

Odighizuwa, a 2021 third-round draft pick, has steadily become a disruptive force on the Cowboys’ defensive line. Though his 4.5 sacks in 2024 don’t leap off the page, advanced analytics highlight his impact as one of the league’s top disruptors at the position.

Unsurprisingly, Odighizuwa has drawn significant interest as he enters free agency. ESPN has already linked him to the Arizona Cardinals, who are eager to bolster their defensive front in year three of the Jonathan Gannon-Monti Ossenfort regime.

“In the third year of the Gannon-Ossenfort era, a playoff berth is desperately needed,” wrote ESPN’s Solak. “The Cardinals will start getting aggressive with their cap space. They will add both Josh Sweat and Osa Odighizuwa to a defensive line sorely in need of immediate contributors.”

What Could Odighizuwa Command in Free Agency?

Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently ranked Odighizuwa No. 30 on their list of top pending free agents, comparing him to Justin Madubuike, who signed a four-year, $98 million deal with Baltimore in 2024. Adjusting for the 2025 salary cap, Odighizuwa could command a deal in the range of $105.6 million over four years, with an average annual value of $26.4 million.

While such a contract would be a significant investment for any team, it underscores Odighizuwa’s value as a premier disruptor. Losing him would not only create a massive void on the Cowboys’ defensive line but would also signal a step backward for a team aiming to maintain playoff relevance.

Dallas at a Crossroads

If Odighizuwa departs, the Cowboys would likely receive a compensatory third-round pick in 2026, assuming their net free-agent losses outweigh their signings. However, this approach doesn’t inspire confidence in a fanbase eager for Dallas to adopt a more proactive strategy in roster building.

With other teams aggressively reshaping their rosters, the Cowboys’ methodical pace could leave them playing catch-up. As they transition to a new coaching regime and navigate a pivotal offseason, the clock is ticking for Dallas to take control of their narrative before their competitors widen the gap.

Will the Cowboys finally break the cycle of hesitation, or will another offseason of waiting in the wings define their future? All eyes are on Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office to see if urgency becomes a part of the 2025 playbook.