Cowboys source, Cowboys close to deal with Osa $21 Million a year

[Blitzen]

It’s not so much the player as the philosophy of where to spend resources. The cap can be manipulated, but large guaranteed money extensions and new contracts just mean planning future years with a certain player (more guaranteed means more years).

Teams will sign players like Osa because they need depth, they have the cap space, and they want to feel more flexible when the draft comes around.

How much money do you pay for good situational interior pass rushers but are terrible run defenders? How much does a guy like that help prevent points from the opposing offense? Is this a move that is more to try to prevent the team room being among the bottom five teams, or a move that aims to be one of the top five teams? Does the team trust its ability to properly rate outside free agents compared to guys in house?

The biggest question is-why is Osa so extremely important to the goals of the Dallas Cowboys over the next 3-4 seasons? Is he a major difference maker type that is required to make this a championship squad, or just a decent guy that other teams value as a complimentary type pass rusher?

 

[Stash]

Myles Garrett signed his extension back in 2020. At the time he took up 12.6% of the cap. If you wanted to do apples to apples comparison that would be $35M in todays dollars.

I’m talking about today. And the cost for both. Specifically what’s a better use of capital space? Myles Garrett for $21 million a year (his cap hits) or Osa at $21 million a year?

It’s not close.

Lets see what the final numbers actually are, but OSA getting $21M isnt even close to the same thing as it would be closer to 7.5% of the cap and puts him in line with an Ed Oliver payday who is 17th overall in DT pay by that measurement.

And Osa isn’t in the same league as Ed Oliver either so that’s not helping your argument.

Bottom line is that this good player shouldn’t get great money.

 

[HungryLion]

The Crawford situation was such a screw up on so many levels. It didn't help they bounced him around like a yo-yo between DT and DE, making him gain weight, lose weight, etc. Throw in a bum shoulder and bam, quite the bang up job they did from signing to using him.

This is exactly it.

Crawford wasn’t even a bad player. He was a very solid rotational DL player. So I had nothing against him. You need guys like that.

But they overpaid him and tried forcing him to be a centerpiece player at various positions. Rather than just use him as the rotational backup that he should have been.

 

[Nova]

This would be a better outcome than I expected. I was ready for them to play the long game, hit him with the tag and then negotiate from there. Getting a deal done early could mean they are getting ready to actually do something in free agency??? Maybe I'm too optimistic on that one....

It's better, but I'm still annoyed that they didn't get this done before he was due.

But yeah, maybe it means they're getting their cap right to make moves.

And hopefully the moves are solid

 

[EMMITTnROY]

Wish we’d pay $21 million a year for a new GM.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I will be so pissed off when this happens.

Talk about paying mediocrity.

It's dumb. It's asinine. It lacks any hint of intelligence. So it will happen.

21 million

the devil is in the details but god is this a bad decision

 

[fivetwos]

I didn’t like the sound of it, but we should at least wait to see the structure. If it’s like 5/105 on the surface but essentially something like 3/50 with like 35 guaranteed, it’s not the worst move to retain him.

If it’s structured similar to the Elliott and Prescott deals, to name only a couple…where they would have to cut him in a given March to avoid the season AFTER the upcoming one from vesting, all while the upcoming one is already guaranteed, making them essentially uncuttable, it’ll end up as problematic.

If he has to actually play well to see the bulk of what the contract looks like AAV-wise, I’m ok with it. Just maybe the light went on in year four as opposed to being about the bag. Maybe.

 

[gimmesix]

He's not a top free agent DT. He's not a Top 20 DT.

His value is only elevated because THIS IS A WEAK FA CLASS FOR DTs.

Put it another way. Let's say in this free agent class, Brandin Cooks is the best WR available? In theory, yeah, he's a top free agent WR but only because the FA class is so weak. A team would be foolish to pay him top WR money simply because he'd be the best WR available in FA.

This isn't hard.

This was Jerry's problem when he used free agency to bring in players. It didn't matter what kind of market it was, if he needed a CB, he went out and got the best CB available for top dollar even if it was weak CB class.

He and Stephen "learned" from that and stopped paying top dollar or even medium dollar to outside FAs, period. But he still does it with his own free agents.

I expect Osa to end up at or near the top price for FA DTs this year. Of course, he'd be at or near it even if we weren't the ones paying it because he's one of the best DTs in a weak overall FA class, but we'll be the one paying it because he's one of our own.

I'm still a fan of transition tagging him, even though that will cost us $20 million, simply because we do not have anyone better on the roster and we don't know how the draft is going to fall. Then, one of my priorities early in the draft would be to try to improve the position.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I’m talking about today. And the cost for both. Specifically what’s a better use of capital space? Myles Garrett for $21 million a year (his cap hits) or Osa at $21 million a year?

It’s not close.


And Osa isn’t in the same league as Ed Oliver either so that’s not helping your argument.

Bottom line is that this good player shouldn’t get great money.

As far as Myles Garrett goes hes not a free agent so you cant get him for $21M without giving up significant draft capital, if he is available for trade at all. If he were a free agent right now he would be significantly more than $21M per year. OSA is also very unlikely to come close to touching the guaranteed money in Garretts deal either. Less guaranteed money means the team can bail pretty quick. This is why the Diggs deal was so team friendly. The Cowboys are into just year 2 of that extension and could cut bait at any time for minimal penalty.

As far as Ed Oliver I struggle to find a better comp to OSA. Slightly undersized interior player who racks up pressures, has inconsistent sack totals, and has a history of being underwhelming against the run. That is OSA no matter how you slice it. The year he signed his extension he averaged a pressure about every 11 snaps, a sack about every 85 snaps. Osa generates pressure about every 9 snaps, sacks about every 94 snaps. Production wise these guys are about identical.

 

[thunderpimp91]

It's not always on the LB.

Osa is an OK player, no one is saying any different. The problem is, he's not the difference maker that he's getting paid to be. I love him for 12 mil, don't like him for 21 mil. It's more about value for the salary, and it's just not here in this case.

No its not and I'm not shy about being critical of OSA in the run game at times, but LVE went down that year we started a guy at LB in Clarke who might not even make the team this year, and also played a safety at the position. The LB play was beyond bad that year.

I'm just giving my thoughts in real time watching the 1st half of that playoff game back. OSA was not the problem there, and most of 2023 he was actually pretty decent in the run game. Give him less read/react responsibilities and upgrade the 1T and I would be a lot of money OSA looks a lot better on run downs.

 

[thunderpimp91]

This was Jerry's problem when he used free agency to bring in players. It didn't matter what kind of market it was, if he needed a CB, he went out and got the best CB available for top dollar even if it was weak CB class.

He and Stephen "learned" from that and stopped paying top dollar or even medium dollar to outside FAs, period. But he still does it with his own free agents.

I expect Osa to end up at or near the top price for FA DTs this year. Of course, he'd be at or near it even if we weren't the ones paying it because he's one of the best DTs in a weak overall FA class, but we'll be the one paying it because he's one of our own.

I'm still a fan of transition tagging him, even though that will cost us $20 million, simply because we do not have anyone better on the roster and we don't know how the draft is going to fall. Then, one of my priorities early in the draft would be to try to improve the position.

It HAS to be the franchise tag or else its a waste of time. With the transition tag you're basically betting that no team would offer him a multi year deal. If they decide not to match it not only do they lose the player but they lose their comp pick as well. The transition tag is barely used for a reason. I hope they fix it for the next CBA because right now its pretty pointless.

 

[gimmesix]

It HAS to be the franchise tag or else its a waste of time. With the transition tag you're basically betting that no team would offer him a multi year deal. If they decide not to match it not only do they lose the player but they lose their comp pick as well. The transition tag is barely used for a reason. I hope they fix it for the next CBA because right now its pretty pointless.

I don't have a problem with the transition tag because it at least lets the team know his worth before deciding whether to sign him. Plus, I don't think teams are liable to offer him a multi-year deal knowing we can match it. They will go after other FA DTs.

Plus, it saves about $4 million if he plays on that tag instead of the franchise tag.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I don't have a problem with the transition tag because it at least lets the team know his worth before deciding whether to sign him. Plus, I don't think teams are liable to offer him a multi-year deal knowing we can match it. They will go after other FA DTs.

Plus, it saves about $4 million if he plays on that tag instead of the franchise tag.

I just cant see Jerry ever risking that. I would have to believe that someone would offer OSA a deal, and I think Jerry would be unlikely to match it simply because Jerry want to write up deals his way. I know the league has fixed some of the issues with the poison pill lingo from years ago on the tag offers, but a team still has to match an offer in its entirety, not just the years and AAV. We lost Randy Gregory (although a good thing) just because of an extra sentence Jerry wants in his contracts.

Since 2010 teams have offered out 128 franchise tags compared to just 6 transition tags. Teams really dont like to use them.

 

[Stash]

As far as Myles Garrett goes hes not a free agent so you cant get him for $21M without giving up significant draft capital, if he is available for trade at all. If he were a free agent right now he would be significantly more than $21M per year. OSA is also very unlikely to come close to touching the guaranteed money in Garretts deal either. Less guaranteed money means the team can bail pretty quick. This is why the Diggs deal was so team friendly. The Cowboys are into just year 2 of that extension and could cut bait at any time for minimal penalty.

Yes. Garrett would be a trade. And you’d currently have him for no guaranteed money.

As far as Ed Oliver I struggle to find a better comp to OSA. Slightly undersized interior player who racks up pressures, has inconsistent sack totals, and has a history of being underwhelming against the run. That is OSA no matter how you slice it. The year he signed his extension he averaged a pressure about every 11 snaps, a sack about every 85 snaps. Osa generates pressure about every 9 snaps, sacks about every 94 snaps. Production wise these guys are about identical.

When Osa has 9.5 sacks in a season, you can make the comparison.

 

[Mr_437]

Imagine Williams lining up next to Micah. I wanted Dallas to draft him when he came out. They missed him by I think 11 picks, but since he was a rookie he has flashed more ability to me than Osa. Williams would start for Dallas even though he has been a rotational player in Philly.

You prefer Williams since Day 1 so you're dug in on that, cool. If you put Osa as a rotational player in Philly he would have better production than Milton imo. Milton is not getting doubled due to the talent around him at DT n DE...he gets 1 on 1s. I've seen Osa get doubled plenty of times in the run game, and Micah missed a chunk of the season, but moreover Osa is the iDL who'll draw extra attention because Mazi isn't a threat.

Again, everyone has a preference, but just throwing out some perspectives.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Yes. Garrett would be a trade. And you’d currently have him for no guaranteed money.


When Osa has 9.5 sacks in a season, you can make the comparison.

No issue with that take on Garrett. If you're willing to trade for him I dont have any issues with that take. I'd much rather have him than OSA, but you do have to factor in the draft picks youd have to give up too and that might be giving up #12 this year.

When Oliver signed his extension he had sack totals of 2.5, 4, 3, and 5. His rookie contract and OSAs rookie contract delivered almost identical results. If you're going to find a comparison to gauge FA market prices it has to be in relation to when that player signed their deal. Oliver going off for 9 sacks after he inked his big extension doesn't change anything. Hopefully OSA sees a similar trajectory for year 5.

 

[Stash]

No issue with that take on Garrett. If you're willing to trade for him I dont have any issues with that take. I'd much rather have him than OSA, but you do have to factor in the draft picks youd have to give up too and that might be giving up #12 this year.

No doubt. But I would, gladly. How would you feel about that?

When Oliver signed his extension he had sack totals of 2.5, 4, 3, and 5. His rookie contract and OSAs rookie contract delivered almost identical results. If you're going to find a comparison to gauge FA market prices it has to be in relation to when that player signed their deal. Oliver going off for 9 sacks after he inked his big extension doesn't change anything. Hopefully OSA sees a similar trajectory for year 5.

Credit where credit is due. Even though I disagree with the idea of paying Osa that much, you continue to make excellent points in support of your position.

 

[nhcowboyfan]

You prefer Williams since Day 1 so you're dug in on that, cool. If you put Osa as a rotational player in Philly he would have better production than Milton imo. Milton is not getting doubled due to the talent around him at DT n DE...he gets 1 on 1s. I've seen Osa get doubled plenty of times in the run game, and Micah missed a chunk of the season, but moreover Osa is the iDL who'll draw extra attention because Mazi isn't a threat.

Again, everyone has a preference, but just throwing out some perspectives.

The other thing that fans aren't considering is how well he has been playing despite the lack of talent around him. Milton gets the benefit of playing alongside Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Imagine if the Cowboys had a Dexter Lawrence or Vita Vea playing alongside of him. Osa would be a beast then.

 

[thunderpimp91]

No doubt. But I would, gladly. How would you feel about that?

I'd be fine with it. Honestly though if we went that way I'd prefer to go the true 'all in' route and still spend on a good 3T. That could be OSA, or that could be a guy like Williams, whoever you like better. Give me Garrett, OSA, and Parsons all on the same DL for the next two years and I would gladly sacrifice 2027 as a rebuild year after that.

Credit where credit is due. Even though I disagree with the idea of paying Osa that much, you continue to make excellent points in support of your position.

Sorry, I can be stubborn sometimes

 

[DCBoysfan]

Sure, as long as super bowls are not your thing.

If this team doesn't make the Super Bowl it won't be because Osa was paid 21M.

Folks kill me hating when a player gets paid.

He is still young and plays a premier position, you gonna have to pay a premium price to keep him.