DALLAS — Osa Odighizuwa has stayed consistent through all the Dallas Cowboys’ changes this offseason.
“I just continue to approach it the same way, keeping that same hunger,” said Odighizuwa, who signed a four-year, $80-million contract extension in March. “Just making sure you continue to do what you do best, through any style or scheme.”
The Cowboys’ commitment to Odighizuwa has cemented his place as one of the team’s defensive leaders, especially with DeMarcus Lawrence departing in free agency.
“Having him gone definitely puts a little bit more on me and Micah’s plate as far as leadership and leading by example,” Odighizuwa said.
And while Micah Parsons is the defense’s vocal leader, Odighizuwa chooses to lead by his actions.
“Example leadership is the way I’ve always led,” said the fifth-year defensive tackle. “I’m not someone that talks a ton or like a ‘rah-rah guy’. I’m just gonna lead by example.”
It’s an approach that rubs off on the entire team. “Osa has always been the way he is,” said Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith. “Osa works hard day in, day out. Osa does the extra, day in, day out.”
Offensive lineman Tyler Smith has been battling Odighizuwa in the trenches since he came into the league in 2022. He said having a guy with Odighizuwa’s work ethic motivates other players to elevate themselves.
“Just through how he comes in and competes every day. Whether it be walkthroughs, practice, like anything, he’s gonna go 100%,” Smith said. “It makes me have to go 110%, and so I think he just really pushes us to be better.”
And speaking of being better, Odighizuwa thinks he can be better under the new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. “I was going back and just watching some of the tape from last year. If I was doing the stuff that we’re being coached to do now, I’m making this play, I’m making that play,” Odighizuwa said. “There’s going to be a lot more opportunities based on the stuff that he’s having us do.”