Turning doubt into dominance, Osa Odighizuwa continued to evolve in 2024
Not every football season can be a masterpiece, but even in the chaos, there are moments worth celebrating. The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 campaign might not have delivered the results fans hoped for, but it sure delivered some unforgettable stories.
One such story was, in a contract year, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa proving pundits don’t know nearly as much as they think they do; especially when it comes what he’s capable of.
Two headlines serve as trailer for the story of Odighizuwa’s growth and development. On March 1, the prevailing sentiment was the 2021 third-round pick was one of 3 defenders on thin ice with Mike Zimmer’s new personnel plans. Nine months later, on December 16, he was defined as an underrated star who priced himself out of Dallas with his latest dominant game.
When the Cowboys announced Zimmer as their new defensive coordinator following Dan Quinn’s departure, rumors swirled regarding potential changes to the defense.
Zimmer’s preferences were put under the microscope and analysts quickly concluded Odighizuwa might not be his type. Critics claimed he lacked size for a Zimmer DT and didn’t log enough sacks to be a true force on the line. Would he get the axe or could he take a step forward under Zimmer’s direction?
Chopping block conversations were quickly nixed, and anyone who thought a simple step forward would be enough for Odighizuwa was sorely mistaken.
He cranked up his total pressures by nearly 40%, going from 43 in 2023 to 60 in 2024; a number bested only by the Broncos’ Zach Allen and the Chiefs’ Chris Jones.
Oh, and about those critics who said he couldn’t get home? Odighizuwa reached the quarterback far more than in the past. He directly helped take the QB to the ground seven times. His 4.5 sacks on the season were a career high, and stemmed from two solo takedowns and being a part of five group sacks.
Add in the fact that he ranked Top-Five for both quarterback hits and hurries, and it’s no wonder he’s been referred to by experts as one of the most dominant interior defenders in the NFL and one of the best pass rushers in the league.
At this point, there’s no questioning Odighizuwa’s impact on the line, but before opponents have to deal with him next season, the Cowboys face a different battle: his contract. With total cash projections north of $100 million, the big questionis no longer whether the former UCLA Bruin is a force—it’s whether Dallas can afford to keep him.
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