Cowboys, 49ers, Bengals could battle over $36 million free agent with 14.5 career sacks

The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers both need to add to their edge rusher groups this offseason.

The Niners finished with the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2025 and need more help for Nick Bosa, who will be coming back from a torn ACL in 2026.

The Cowboys never replaced the production lost by the Micah Parsons trade and, like the 49ers, they could use a pair of additions at the position, including one significant move.

In an article naming landing spots for some of the more overlooked pending free agents, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport believes the Cowboys and 49ers are potential fits for Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Joseph Ossai.

Here's Davenport's thoughts on Ossai, who would be a strong fit for both teams, which could lead to a battle between Dallas and San Fran in free agency:

Ossai hasn't posted gaudy stats over his four seasons in the Queen City. But his playing time has increased in recent years, and he has shown the ability to both set the edge and get after opposing quarterbacks—he has 45 pressures and 27 quarterback hits over the past two years.

Ossai is entering the prime of his career, and among edge-rushers who aren't going to command a big contract in 2026, he is the best bet to have a coming-out party in a new home.

Potential Fits: Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers

When it comes to a contract projection for Ossai, Spotrac estimates a four-year, $36.7 million deal in free agency. While it remains to be seen if he will get that kind of long-term deal, a $9 million annual average sounds about right.

Ossai isn't someone who is going to anchor a pass-rush, as evidenced by his 14.5 career sacks in four seasons. However, he has posted five sacks in each of the last two campaigns, which makes him a strong complementary pass-rusher.

There is also some upside here with Ossai, as he tallied those 10 sacks while only starting in 12 of 31 games played and seeing 51% and 67% of the snaps.

If given a bigger role, Ossai could reach new heights, especially if he's regularly opposite a top-notch EDGE like he was with Hendrickson in Cincinnati.

Seeing as how the Bengals will likely lose Trey Hendrickson to free agency, Cincy should work hard to keep Ossai so it doesn't have to rebuild its entire edge rusher room.

But that's going to be difficult, as there will be several teams in the mix for Ossai's services given the premium position he plays. The more competition on the open market, the less likely the Bengals will be able to hold on to him.

And we would expect the Cowboys and Niners to be two of the teams that seriously threaten to take Ossai away from the Bengals.

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