Dallas notably has lost four straight contests to San Francisco, including playoff games in 2022 and 2023. The Cowboys’ last win over the Niners came in 2020, the season before they selected Odighizuwa in the third round of the draft.
After switching teams, Odighizuwa plans to continue in the lineup for the new San Francisco squad, even though he still has love for his first NFL team.
Odighizuwa, who played in 84 games (76 starts) with 17 sacks rocking the star on his helmet, said the trade to Dallas wasn’t “super surprising” but that he’s still dealing with a “mix of emotions.”
“I’m really happy about that [with the 49ers],” Odighizuwa continued. “It’s a great organization from top to bottom. I definitely think it’s just a winning mentality here, so it’s definitely cool to be a part of that and go from one good organization to another and just be in a great space. I feel like I’m part of the cavalry, you know what I’m saying? I am by no means coming to a place that is rebuilding anything. I’m just coming in and adding to a great team and a lot of great players that are already here, so it’s kind of awesome.”
Given the Day 2 capital the 49ers spent on him, they expect Odighizuwa to be an especially important piece of cavalry this coming season.
He is well aware of the team’s long history as a competitor. The 49ers have made five of the last seven postseasons during a stretch that includes two Super Bowl berths, and he’s looking to help them continue that trend.
“I really want to make a deep playoff run and get to the dance,” Odighizuwa said. “I want that ring for sure. Being on a team that’s been in the last two [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. And then just bringing guys like Dre Greenlaw back, bringing me and Mike Evans and stuff, it’s awesome.”
Odighizuwa, in particular, should get plenty of opportunities to capitalize on matchups as one of the centerpieces of a strong front four that includes 2025 second-round DT Alfred Collins, 2025 first-rounder Mykel Williams and former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa. The latter two are both returning from injuries, and Collins is likely to be inserted into the starting lineup after starting alone as a rookie, meaning the 49ers D-line will be completely revamped after finishing last in the league last season.
As part of helping to correct the team’s performance, Odighizuwa aims to mark his first year in red and gold with offense.
“Over the past five years I haven’t scratched the surface of the player I am,” he said. “It hasn’t been fully shown, so I’m just going to put it on display.”