Dallas Cowboys could use franchise tag on pricey pending free agent

The Dallas Cowboys have several free agents this offseason, some of them have earned multiple Pro Bowl nods and even All-Pro status. Yet, the team did recently reveal their “aggressive” free agency plans, which should have fans more excited about this offseason’s plans compared to last year’s results.

However, the Cowboys also indicated a preference to take care of their own free agents before considering which players to add from other teams. Now, they’re reportedly fixated on trying to re-sign a player before he officially becomes a free agent later this offseason. To do so, they may have to use the franchise tag.

Dallas Cowboys may be forced to franchise tag Osa Odighizuwa

Arguably the best up-and-coming Dallas Cowboys free agent is Osa Odighizuwa. The 26-year-old defensive tackle is coming off a career-high 4.5 sacks and is in line for a big contract.

Yet, according to ESPN’s NFL insider Dan Graziano, the Cowboys could be trending toward using the franchise tag on Odighizuwa.

“The Cowboys have done enough work on an Osa Odighizuwa extension that I wouldn’t be surprised to see them use the franchise tag on him if a deal isn’t completed by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline — just to give them more time to complete that deal. They’re also hopeful of bringing back free agent cornerback Jourdan Lewis, and they haven’t totally ruled out a DeMarcus Lawrence return. However, regardless of how that shakes out, Dallas will be looking to get younger up front on defense.”
ESPN on Osa Odighizuwa

The franchise tag for defensive tackles is set at $25.1 million this offseason. That would mean the Cowboys have four players with a cap number of over $24 million in 2025, with Dak Prescott leading the way at $89.5 million. CeeDee Lamb is next at $35.3 million. Micah Parsons would be just behind Odighizuwa at $24 million, but he’s likely to become the highest-paid defender in NFL history this offseason.