Osa Odighizuwa says his move to the San Francisco 49ers is a chance to unleash his best football—starting with a season opener in Melbourne and a clear goal of getting to the Lombardi trophy.
When Osa Odighizuwa talks about the San Francisco 49ers, he doesn’t start with a handshake or a roster photo. He starts with identity—how a defense is built, and how it can finally let him play without the constraints he says he’s faced earlier in his NFL career.
The 27-year-old defensive lineman is coming to the Niners after San Francisco made a splash in the offseason. including signing All-Pro receiver Mike Evans. bringing back linebacker Dre Greenlaw. and trading for Odighizuwa. In the deal, the 49ers sent a 2026 third-round draft pick—No. 92 overall—to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the player.
Odighizuwa spent five seasons with the Cowboys after being selected 75th overall in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. During that span. he recorded 216 tackles. 17 sacks. and two forced fumbles. production that helped establish him as a consistent presence along the line. Now. he’s framing the next chapter as an opportunity to push past what he’s shown in the first five years of his career.
On a podcast appearance with former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman—who has played for the Seahawks and is also a former 49er—Odighizuwa said he liked the way San Francisco has installed what it’s doing and the direction of the team’s established approach.
“I just kind of like the way we’ve installed the things that we’re doing. the identity that these kind of established. and we’re establishing as we’re going about this. and you know. I’m excited. ” Odighizuwa told Sherman. “I feel like getting some handcuffs taken off of me a little bit. to be able to be able to have one of the better years that I’ve had against the run. if not best year that I’ve had. I’m looking forward to just being able to make plays within this scheme.”.
That isn’t just about numbers, either. Odighizuwa said he sees a real path to the sport’s biggest prize: “The Lombardi.” His goal, he said, is to help the 49ers win a Super Bowl.
“I definitely want to make the deep playoff run, bro, and get to the dance. I want to get that ring for sure,” Odighizuwa said. “Being on a team that’s been in two of the last (seven Super Bowls) is very hopeful going into the playoffs. I think they made it to the second round of the playoffs with a bunch of guys hurt. you know what I mean.”.
He also tied the move to a personal mission of proving he’s more than what he’s delivered so far. In his view, his best traits haven’t been fully on display during his first five years in the league.
“For the past five years I haven’t scratched the surface of the player that I am, you know what I mean? It hasn’t been put on full display, so I just plan on putting that on display,” Odighizuwa said.
The schedule gives him an immediate stage to start that work. The NFL season for San Francisco kicks off on Sept. 10, when the 49ers travel to Melbourne, Australia, to play the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.
Osa Odighizuwa San Francisco 49ers Dallas Cowboys Mike Evans Dre Greenlaw Richard Sherman NFL Lombardi Super Bowl Week 1 Melbourne Rams