Cowboys solve their defensive tackle logjam problem with trade to NFC rival

The Cowboys had more starting-caliber defensive tackles than necessary after acquiring Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams last season. That made Odighizuwa, a 2021 third-round pick (No. 75 overall) expendable despite signing a four-year, $80M extension last offseason.

On Tuesday, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported that teams were "keeping an eye on what Dallas may do" regarding his contract, which was set to account for $20.75M against the cap, the team's fourth-largest cap charge. Williams ($21.6M) and Clark ($12.7M) also rank in the top eight in the Cowboys' largest 2026 cap hits, making keeping all three untenable.

By dealing Odighizuwa, the Cowboys also got back a third-round pick in next month's draft after trading their own in last May's trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for wide receiver George Pickens. Dallas is also without its own 2026 second after the deadline deal for Williams.

The move also benefits the 49ers, who needed to add to the defensive line after finishing last in the league in sacks (20) a season ago. Earlier this week, San Francisco lost defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who started 16 games in 2025, to the Tennessee Titans, further making the interior a priority. According to Sports Info Solutions data, Odighizuwa ranked third among defensive tackles with at least 350 pass rushes in pressure rate (13.9 percent), trailing Jeffery Simmons and Chris Jones, arguably the two best players at the position.

Odighizuwa could have remained an excellent rotational piece in Dallas, but he was a luxury the team couldn't afford. The Cowboys are only on the hook for Odighizuwa's remaining $16M in bonus money, $4.75M less than what they would have owed him had he remained on the roster. 

Dallas still has plenty of needs after putting together one of the league's worst defenses last year. But Wednesday's deal with the 49ers gives it options in building a more balanced roster. Considering where the team is, it's a move the Cowboys couldn't pass up.