The Washington Commanders are looking for defensive line reinforcements with Jonathan Allen set to depart. A long-running rumor regarding one prominent free-agent addition could go up in smoke according to a recent revelation.
Allen wants a new challenge and the Commanders are letting him see what suitors are out there before a potential trade comes to fruition. Adam Peters will already be working on contingency plans to cope without the two-time Pro Bowler. One doesn't have to look far around the media for speculation linking Washington with a daring move for Osa Odighizuwa.
The former third-round pick out of UCLA knows Dan Quinn from their time together on the Dallas Cowboys. Odighizuwa flourished under his leadership, going from a rotational piece to one of the league's best at generating pressure from the defensive interior. With Allen departing and this previous relatonship, the dots connected themselves.
However, the Cowboys are reportedly looking to remove any doubt regarding Odighizuwa's status.
Commanders dealt blow as Cowboys set the extend Osa Odighizuwa
After Stephen Jones revealed that discussions with Odighizuwa's representatives regarding a new deal had begun, Mike Fisher from Athlon Sports took things one step forward. The long-time Cowboys reporter revealed via sources that a deal is close, which could reach around $21 million per season to take him off the market ahead of time.
"Teams can negotiate and sign their own free agents right now. And right in line with Stephen vowing to help Dallas be "selectively aggressive'' in spending on roster building in 2025? A source close to the situation tells CowboysCountry.com that there is so much "progress'' in the club's negotiations with Osa that they are "very close'' to a done deal. The source adds that the new contract is expected to come in at more than $21 million per year."Mike Fisher
Just how interested the Commanders would have been in Odighizuwa is anyone's guess. If they were, it seems for all the smart money their dreams of landing the player will go up in smoke.
Odighizuwa won't be the only possibility. Peters leaves nothing to chance, covering every base and preparing for every eventuality. He'll have a concise plan to take the Commanders forward. He's also earned plenty of respect after a sensational first year at the helm.
Nothing has been confirmed for definite, but Odighizuwa working out a deal with the Cowboys is a strong likelihood reading between the lines. Dallas needs to make sacrifices financially to fit his contract into the team's strategy, especially considering All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is also after a new deal that will likely reset the market.
That's not Washington's problem. They are loaded with salary-cap space and have seven draft selections at their disposal. It might not be Odighizuwa, but fans have complete trust in Peters to find the right upgrades and ensure their memorable run to the NFC Championship game becomes the start of something truly special.
If the report is accurate and Odighizuwa commits his long-term future to Dallas, he'll go from a potential target to someone the Commanders have to face twice a year again. Not exactly the end of the world, but it's back to the drawing board if Peters was hoping to reunite the player with Quinn.