The Dallas Cowboys have been markedly active in preparing for free agency.
Dallas began the week by making a significant move to secure defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa on a four-year contract worth $80 million, including $58 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, as reported by ESPN.
This extension makes Odighizuwa the 14th highest-paid defensive tackle in the league following the best season of his career, marking a solid contract for both the Cowboys and the former third-round draft selection.
Odighizuwa has missed just one game over his four years in the NFL and has improved in every season. He has become one of the most important players on the Cowboys’ defense, collecting 47 total tackles and 4.5 sacks during the 2024 season.
Shortly after the Cowboys confirmed the contract extension with Odighizuwa, the team announced the signing of defensive back C.J. Goodwin to a new contract.
Goodwin has spent the past seven seasons with the franchise and will now return to the franchise after signing a one-year contract.
Although the cornerback has not consistently contributed on the defensive side of the ball, Goodwin has become one of the best special teams players in the league and will have a chance to once again prove his worth under new special teams coach Nick Sorensen.
Finally, the team announced a restructure of wide receiver Ceedee Lamb’s contract to free up $20 million in cap space that can be used to sign additional free agents.
Lamb explained his decision to restructure his contract on social media.
“I want to win. It’s gonna take more than just myself,” wrote the All-Pro receiver on X.
Dallas will now turn its attention to two more important actions within the franchise before the legal tampering period begins on March 10, with the team needing to make decisions about quarterback Dak Prescott and pass rusher Micah Parsons.
Prescott will likely work with the team to restructure his contract in a similar manner to the move made by Lamb, which could free up to $36 million in cap space for the team to use in free agency, according to The U.S. Sun.
While Dallas ranks near the bottom of the league in cap space available heading into free agency with just over $17 million, the potential restructure of Prescott’s contract will allow the team to make more moves to add to the roster.
The franchise’s next step is to agree on a contract extension with Parsons, who could become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
The two sides have reportedly begun discussing this extension, and the hope is that an agreement is in place before free agency begins on March 12. However, according to The Dallas Morning News, discussions have been described as “general” to this point.
Based on the average annual salary, the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson at $35 million per year, but Parsons could surpass this number.
Spotrac currently projects a four-year contract worth just under $135 million for the All-Pro pass rusher, with an average annual value of roughly $33.7 million. However, Parsons could receive slightly more per year to set the market even higher.