Cowboys owner Jerry Jones makes big trade decision | Sports News

Just one yr in the past, Osa Odighizuwa rejected a bigger offer from the Washington Commanders to ink a four-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He made this selection anticipating to stay with the group for a number of years while establishing himself as a defensive captain and revered presence within the locker room.

Beyond the on-field benefits, Texas’ absence of state income tax meant his compensation package deal was considerably more precious than the uncooked figures indicated. He secured a four-year, $80 million contract and started establishing a residence within the area.

However, merely one yr into his deal, after turning into crew captain and settling into his new residence, owner and normal supervisor Jerry Jones has shipped him to the San Francisco 49ers. For Odighizuwa, this trade brings a double blow: not solely should he relocate from his home, however his earnings will take a substantial hit. It comes after an ESPN star was slammed for a Maxx Crosby trade concept.

California imposes the nation’s steepest state income tax – a actuality Sam Darnold found after successful the Super Bowl. Compounding the scenario, the trade eliminates any ensures within the ultimate two years of Odighizuwa’s contract.

This leaves him weak to being launched by the 49ers following the season, until his efficiency earns him a new settlement – negotiations which will already be underway after the deal.

The Cowboys obtained a third-round choice on this yr’s draft for Odighizuwa, with Dallas missing each second and third-round picks after surrendering them within the Quinnen Williams trade. Williams appears to be the catalyst for Dallas’s decision to trade Odighizuwa, given the crew’s surplus of gamers in that place.

After buying Kenny Clark within the Micah Parsons trade and Williams final yr, the Cowboys are anticipated to often subject solely two inside defensive linemen.

This transfer ostensibly paves the way in which for a deal involving Odighizuwa, regardless of his contract extension with the crew simply final yr.

San Francisco will shoulder a $16 million hit towards their wage cap for the participant, however none of his earnings are assured past the 2026 season.

This is a harsh setback for Odighizuwa, who had a strong market in 2025 earlier than finalizing a deal with the Cowboys. Insider Jane Slater reported that he declined a more profitable offer from the Commanders to stay with the crew, with tax advantages taking part in a function in his decision.

At simply 27, Odighizuwa nonetheless has the potential to secure one other substantial contract during his prime years. He is poised to change into a pivotal determine in San Francisco’s protection, which ranked thirty second in pass-rush win-rate in 2025.