NFL teams believe the Dallas Cowboys are willing to trade one of their few defensive standouts, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.

There’s a pretty obvious reason why they’re on to something. The Cowboys are set to owe Odighizuwa, Kenny Clark, and Quinnen Williams a combined $63.5 million in 2026. That’s a lot of money for three defensive tackles.

But the problem with dealing Osa away is it would take a serious hit at one of the only positions where the Cowboys defense has depth and compensation may not be as high as many would expect considering he’s about to enter Year 2 of an $80 million contract.

Enter the Chicago Bears, who could be the perfect trade partner for the Cowboys to unload Odighizuwa’s deal.

Cowboys-Bears trade scenario

The Cowboys can get away with dealing away Odighizuwa because they’re top heavy at the position thanks to Williams and Clark.

So if one of the biggest downsides to losing Odighizuwa is losing depth, why not aim to get a less impactful DT in return plus something else?

The Bears have received trade interest for DT Gervon Dexter Sr., who will be in the books for $1.05 million in 2026.

Last season, he recorded 43 QB pressures and six sacks, to Odighizuwa’s 52 pressures and 3.5 sacks. Dexter Sr. is a lesser run defender but he could help mediate the loss of Odighizuwa’s pass rush production at three-technique.

So here’s the pitch:

Cowboys get: DT Gervon Dexter Sr., 2026 third-round pick (No. 89)
Bears get: DT Osa Odighizuwa, 2027 sixth-round pick

For the Cowboys, it makes plenty of sense as they’d get back a Day 2 draft pick, which they currently lack following the George Pickens and Quinnen Williams trades. For a front office running out of free agency targets, landing another Top 100 pick would be very valuable.

As for the Bears, it makes sense on every front. Let’s dive in.

More on Gervon Dexter Sr.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Chicago Bears former second-round pick Gervon Dexter Sr. was floated as a name that was receiving trade interest around the league. The team’s defensive tackle is entering into the final year of his rookie contract and was viewed as a better fit in Matt Eberflus’ scheme than he is in Chicago’s new scheme under Dennis Allen. The only pushback to the reported trade idea was the fact that Chicago had limited bodies on the interior of the defensive line.

That changed during the legal tampering period when the Bears agreed to deals with Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street, two players that can provide immediate depth for the Bears’ defensive line. Those moves could also make Dexter a more expendable asset than people in Chicago may have considered a few weeks ago.

Bears make perfect sense for Osa

Osa Odighizuwa is the exact kind of player that can fit what Dennis Allen wants as an interior pass rusher and still only 27-years-old. Odighizuwa’s 52 pressures in 2025 was nearly more than Dexter (43) and Jarrett (23) had combined. Bears general manager Ryan Poles noted at the NFL Combine that the 2026 NFL Draft is deeper at EDGE than DT, so finding a starting upgrade in the interior before of the draft is a wise decision while adding a top rookie off the edge.

With a few restructures, the Bears can take on Odighizuwa’s deal that is honestly a bargain compared to other deals at his position. He’ll be an immediate upgrade over Dexter with Jarrett, Gallimore, and Street as other options inside. Chicago also gained a second pick in the second-round and can add their 2026 third to facilitate this trade while moving back from one of those seconds to acquire more draft picks. This is the kind of path the Bears should take instead of pursuing someone like Maxx Crosby that could cost upwards of multiple first-round picks to acquire.

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