Losing always calls for a gut check, but getting blown out in a litmus test game calls for a complete organizational evaluation. Even if the Dallas Cowboys end up in the playoff hunt somehow, Sunday's loss in Denver proved they should not be taken seriously this season until they prove otherwise.
Dak Prescott and the offense have seen better days, but they are operating as if they have to score a touchdown on at least every other possession just to keep games close. The defense has multiple players who arguably shouldn't be on an NFL roster playing meaningful snaps, but even its marquee players haven't held up their end of the bargain.
Trevon Diggs sticks out like this defense forcing consecutive three-and-outs, but it's time to have an uncomfortable conversation about defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who signed a four-year, $80 million extension worth $50 million guaranteed in the offseason.
Cowboys might already regret paying DT Osa Odighizuwa
Odighizuwa only ranks 16th among DTs in annual salary, but $20 million per year is $20 million per year, and he simply hasn't played up to that. Off the top of your head, can you recall a moment this season where Odighizuwa made a big play, or even stood out in a game?
Entering Sunday, Odighizuwa ranked 36th among interior defenders with a 66.6 pass-rush grade, 14th with 20 pressures, tied for 44th with one sack, 58th with seven stops, and 87th with a 51.1 run-defense grade, per Pro Football Focus. That production is not worth $20 million. Not even close.
An argument can be made that Solomon Thomas, signed for $6 million over two years in the offseason, has been more impactful this season than Odighizuwa.
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The Cowboys were admittedly put in a tough spot with Odighizuwa's contract. He had an awesome contract year in 2024, ranking among the top interior defenders in every pass rush metric, including pass-rush win rate, pressures, and quarterback hits.
It also doesn't help that Micah Parsons got traded, and Dallas has one of the worst four-man rushes in football.
In that same vein, how much of Odighizuwa's production in the previous four years was a direct result of Parsons commanding so much attention from opposing teams? It stands to reason that DeMarcus Lawrence took even more attention away from Odighizuwa.
Obviously, a player like Parsons makes everyone around him better, but the Cowboys might have put too much stock in Odghizuwa's 2024 breakout. He's been a ghost for several weeks now, and it might be time to question whether Dallas overpaid to keep him.
Odighizuwa hasn't been the Cowboys' worst defender this season, but he's getting paid to be one of the best, and he hasn't been anything close to that.