Mar 31, 2026, 2:15 AM CUT
$80M Ex-Cowboys Star Left In Tears After Being Traded To Bitter Rivals
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 12: Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa 97 during an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys on October 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire NFL: OCT 12 Cowboys at Panthers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251012085
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 12: Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa 97 during an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys on October 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire NFL: OCT 12 Cowboys at Panthers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251012085
When the Dallas Cowboys selected defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa in 2021, he hardly realized that he would be traded for cap space in the future. After five years, the Cowboys let go of him after signing an $80 million extension in March 2025. What is waiting for Odighizuwa now?
He will now play for the San Francisco 49ers. But the parting has been difficult for both parties. The Dallas Cowboys head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, said that he and Odighizuwa cried during their phone call after the trade.
"That’s the nature of the business. I’m thrilled he’s going to a place that is a great fit for him,” said Schottenheimer.
The trade came with an even tougher pill to swallow. Odighizuwa will play in Santa Clara for historic divisional rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. The NFL giants faced off against each other nine times in the postseason, the second most in the league. During the last NFC Divisional in 2022, Dallas lost to San Francisco, 19-12.
Odighizuwa played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for four years. The Cowboys drafted him in the third round as their 75th overall pick.
But it did not take him long to find success under the then-defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the former First-Team All-Pac 12. Back in 2023, he produced 3 sacks in the first two games. Last season, he had only 3.5 sacks but topped the list in quarterback hits among the defensive tackles.
As Dallas lets go of Odighizuwa, it's a big win for San Francisco.
What Did The 49ers General Manager Say About Osa Odighizuwa?
San Francisco GM John Lynch acquired the defensive tackle by giving up a round three pick (No. 92 overall) to Jerry Jones and the Cowboys.
“We’re really excited about adding a young, ascending player who we’ve long held in high regard. He has three years left on his contract,” said Lynch. “We needed that 3-technique to come in and disrupt and have a presence there. Osa really gives us that.”
Last season, the 49ers limped badly and finished last in the NFL, with only 20 sacks. They ranked 31st in pressures and held the 29th spot with 29.2% pass rush win rate.
Odighizuwa fits the bill by bringing in the pass-rushing pop that went missing in San Francisco.
Share your thoughts about the trade move in the comments.
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