Another Vikings Free Agent Target Is Probably Gone
The Minnesota Vikings are in line to improve their defensive trenches this offseason, probably signing a free-agent defensive tackle or choosing one from the 2025 NFL Draft.
Another Vikings Free Agent Target Is Probably Gone
But according to ESPN, one name will probably be off the list, cancelled from seeing the light of day in free agency: Dallas Cowboys defender Osa Odighizuwa.
Odighizuwa was scheduled to be one of the league’s most coveted DTs, along with Philadelphia Eagles lineman Milton Williams, but Dallas is unlikely to let Odighizuwa out the door, says ESPN.
“The Cowboys have done enough work on an Osa Odighizuwa extension that I wouldn’t be surprised to see them use the franchise tag on him if a deal isn’t completed by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline — just to give them more time to complete that deal,” Dan Graziano wrote last weekend.
“They’re also hopeful of bringing back free agent cornerback Jourdan Lewis, and they haven’t totally ruled out a DeMarcus Lawrence return. However, regardless of how that shakes out, Dallas will be looking to get younger up front on defense.”
For now, before free agency and the draft, Minnesota has Jalen Redmond under contract at Odighizuwa’s spot, a man who actually played quite well in 2024. Still, the team’s fans hope Minnesota hits it out of the park with a DT acquisition like Williams or Odighizuwa.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowled added about Odighizuwa, “The Cowboys have had extensive contract talks with Odighizuwa. A few months ago, I would have said Dallas was out on him. But the Cowboys are making a play here to potentially sign him before March 10. Odighizuwa and Philadelphia’s Milton Williams are considered the two top interior defensive linemen.”
All of that is a pretty fancy way of saying that Odighizuwa won’t be available to 31 teams in one week.
Minnesota seems fixated on adding an impactful defensive tackle this offseason. General manager Adofo-Mensah spoke at the NFL Combine last Tuesday, acknowledging that his team must improve in the defensive trenches. “To play January football, there’s a certain way you’ve got to play. You’ve got to be able to control the ball, and be able to get after the passer with just four. We need to get better and will,” the Vikings boss told reporters.
Minnesota already has the defensive line’s edges set with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner, so most interpreted Adofo-Mensah’s comments as a DT hint.
If Odighizuwa is not available, and the Vikings scour free agency for an alternate defensive tackle, these men could be available:
- Jonathan Allen (via Trade)
- Poona Ford
- Javon Hargrave
- B.J. Hill
- Levi Onwuzurike
- Jarran Reed
- Milton Williams
NFL free agency is one week away.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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