The Dallas Cowboys have a major dilemma on their hands on the defensive line. Osa Odighizuwa has been floated in trade talks to the point that Jerry Jones truly could trade him, but does it really make sense for the Cowboys to trade him over the older, less productive defensive tackle alternative in Kenny Clark?
At this point, we really don't know, especially after Dallas signed Chargers' nose tackle Otito Ogbonnia to a one-year deal yesterday. The Cowboys also have Quinnen Williams, so if they're investing this much money at defensive tackle, one of these three have to be on the chopping block.
After acquiring him at the deadline, it almost certainly won't be Williams, so now Jones has to decide between Odighizuwa and Clark. Logic would say to try and deal Clark seven months after he was acquired from Green Bay the Micah Parsons' trade, but Jerry's ego could prevent him from doing that.
The Cowboys also have Solomon Thomas still on the roster, so that makes the inevitable even clearer. One of these two will be moved in the coming weeks, and the fanbase is divided on which one it'll be, but if you ask me, this is just Jerry overcomplicating a decision that should be incredibly easy.
Are the Dallas Cowboys shopping the right DT between Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa?
Here's what Dallas has to consider: Osa is younger, but his 2026 cap hit is also twice as large as Clark's. The 27-year-old has been one of the most important players on the Cowboys' defense in recent seasons, but paying him over $20 million a year through 2028 is a lot of money for a team that's also paying Williams.
The 2021 third-round pick out of UCLA has an out in his deal next offseason, which they could exercise since releasing him doesn't come with much dead money. Cutting him this offseason comes with $12 million in dead cap, and that number would steadily decrease over the next few seasons.
However, Clark is on the wrong side of 30 and has been a popular cap casualty this offseason because of the out in his contract. But since his $12.7 million cap hit is considerably cheaper than Odighizuwa's $20.75 million cap hit in 2026, will Dallas prioritize youth over financial flexibility?
What we do know is that the fellow UCLA Bruin is a better fit in Christian Parker's system, and the three-time Pro-Bowler had a good season in 2025. He was still productive despite the state of the Dallas defense, and Jones has been vocal in his desire to keep him in The Lone Star State this spring.
Odighizuwa is also probably more coveted in league circles, so odds are the Cowboys can land a Day 2 pick in return for him. And if they're already rebuilding the defense, it might make sense to play into the rumors if Jones is ready to rip the band-aid off.