Who are you and what have you done with the Dallas Cowboys? That is the general feeling in North Texas after a chaotic Tuesday that featured a slew of savvy roster moves.
While not the biggest domino of the Cowboys' offseason, it is massive that Osa Odighizuwa's extension is a done deal. It was feared that talks could bleed into the franchise tag deadline, which would have forced Dallas to tag Odighizuwa as a placeholder for the deal. Now, they have plenty of time to re-sign other key pieces.
Yes, Odighizuwa should have been signed last offseason, but it is not like this front office to make moves early and beat deadlines.
The 2025 playoffs, specifically the Super Bowl, really underlined the importance of an interior pass rush and that is Odighizuwa's bread and butter. He led all interior defenders in quarterback hits last season and finished with the second-most pressures.
There will be plenty of time to celebrate the Odighizuwa news, but the Cowboys have more business to attend to before free agency. While they haven't re-signed any of their big-name free agents, they agreed to terms with longtime special teams ace C.J. Goodwin.
Cowboys will keep C.J. Goodwin and safety Juanyeh Thomas after extending Osa Odighizuwa
Let’s run it back, CJ 😤
🗞️: https://t.co/B7jSy8GSox | @blockchain pic.twitter.com/ixmyVht4om
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 4, 2025
Goodwin returning to Dallas on a one-year contract is an offseason tradition unlike any other.
The former undrafted free agent turned 35 in February and is still one of the best special teams gunners in the league. Many fans feared that John "Bones" Fassel would lure him to Tennessee, but Goodwin's loyalty clearly resides with America's Team.
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Goodwin played a prominent role on every special teams unit last season with the exception of the field goal operation. He's played at least 300 special teams snaps in four of the last five seasons. His return is huge for new special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen.
In addition to Goodwin, it's looking like Juanyeh Thomas will be back with the team. While not confirmed by Dallas, Thomas told team reporter Nicole Hutchinson that he is having his contract picked up for next season.
Thomas is an ascending young safety whom many fans want to assume a larger role in the secondary. The third-year pro was an exclusive rights free agent. Like with Goodwin, it is great to see the front office get the "easy" stuff out of the way.
Thomas' playing time was reduced in 2024 under Mike Zimmer, but there is definitely room for a changing of the guard in the defensive backfield. Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker are entering their age-30 and 29 seasons, respectively, and are not signed beyond next season.
With Matt Eberflus taking over at defensive coordinator, maybe 2025 will be the year that Thomas is given the chance to tap into his potential. The Georgia Tech product has a relentless motor and has showed he can play in coverage and pack a punch against the run.
Bringing him back was a no-brainer.
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