The Dallas Cowboys have been busy reshaping their defensive line, making some significant moves that are sure to catch the attention of fans. After missing out on Maxx Crosby, the Cowboys shifted gears and brought in Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers, reuniting him with tackle Kenny Clark.
Wednesday night saw a flurry of activity, beginning with the Cowboys trading defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round draft pick. This move came just a year after Odighizuwa signed a hefty four-year, $80 million extension, making his departure somewhat unexpected.
But the Cowboys weren't done yet. Minutes after the Odighizuwa trade, they sent Solomon Thomas and a 2026 seventh-round pick (No. 225 overall) to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for another 2026 seventh-rounder (No. 218 overall). This swap, first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, marks another step in Dallas' defensive overhaul.
Thomas' move to Tennessee makes plenty of sense when you consider the Titans' head coach, Robert Saleh. Saleh was Thomas' defensive coordinator during his early days with the 49ers and later his head coach with the Jets in 2022. Given Saleh's history of bringing in familiar faces, it's no surprise he wanted Thomas on board.
Last offseason, Thomas joined the Cowboys on a two-year, $8 million deal, serving primarily as a rotational player. He contributed 27 total tackles, including three for loss, two quarterback hits, and one pass breakup over 16 games. However, with the Cowboys' defensive line already bolstered by the likes of Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, Thomas found himself squeezed out of a starting role.
While Odighizuwa's exit might raise some eyebrows, Thomas' departure was more predictable given the crowded defensive front. Now, Thomas has the opportunity to reunite with Saleh in Tennessee, where he could find a more prominent role under a familiar system.