Thomas, 30, began his career with Saleh as his defensive coordinator in San Francisco in 2017. After the two spent the 2021 campaign apart, Saleh brought Thomas to the Jets in 2022, reuniting for another two years and change before Saleh was fired as head coach during the 2024 season.
Odighizuwa is the bigger name in Dallas’ two moves. Still squarely in his prime at 27 years old, he’s appeared in 84 games (76 starts) for the Cowboys with 216 tackles and 17 sacks.
It’s somewhat of an abrupt turnabout for Dallas and Odighizuwa, who just last March agreed to a four-year, $80 million extension, — one in which he took less money than he would’ve received signing with the Commanders, Slater reported. Dallas has undergone a massive transformation since then, however.
The Cowboys traded away Micah Parsons roughly half a year after that extension, netting DT Kenny Clark in the blockbuster move and then using some of their coveted draft capital to trade for another DT, Quinnen Williams, at last season’s trade deadline. Both Clark and Williams are in line for extensions, leaving the defensive tackle room overcrowded — especially after adding Otito Ogbonnia in free agency.
Dallas’ newfound depth and flexibility has proven to be San Francisco’s gain.
After finishing dead last in sacks last season with 20, the 49ers have bolstered their interior pass rush by acquiring the 6-foot-2, 280-pound Odighizuwa, whose 81 QB hits over five seasons show how dangerous he can be.
Along with the impending return of pass rusher Nick Bosa and 2025 first-rounder Mykel Williams from injuries, new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris should have plenty of playmakers to utilize in and around the trenches.
The 49ers also have four ’26 fourth-round picks (Nos. 127, 133, 138 and 139), plenty of ammo to move back into the third round come April’s draft if they so choose.