FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys are continuing to add on the defensive side of the ball in free agency, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with former Chargers DT Otito Ogbonnia.
Ogbonnia, 25, was a fifth-round selection by the Chargers in the 2022 NFL Draft. Over the first four years of his NFL career, Ogbonnia has played in 41 games for Los Angeles, starting in 20.
In 2025, Ogbonnia played in nine games for the Chargers and posted 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and half a sack. Ogbonnia suffered an elbow injury after Los Angeles' Week 7 matchup against the Colts and was placed on injured reserve, returning in Week 14 against the Eagles.
At 6'4, 320 pounds, Ogbonnia comes from a 3-4 defense under Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers, and now will play in a similar scheme under Christian Parker.
At defensive tackle, Ogbonnia joins a group that the Cowboys are excited about with Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas and Jay Toia rounding out the unit.
Originally from the greater Houston area, Ogbonnia played college football at UCLA, becoming the fourth defensive tackle on the Cowboys' roster to play for the Bruins in college. Clark, Odighizuwa and Toia all also played defensive tackle at UCLA. Ogbonnia and Odighizuwa played together at UCLA from 2018-20, and Ogbonnia's senior season in 2021 was Toia's freshman season.
Ogbonnia marks the fourth addition Dallas has made on defense, joining free agent safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke that have agreed to terms on deals and EDGE Rashan Gary, who the Cowobys have agreed to terms on a trade with the Packers to acquire.
For all the latest on the Cowboys' moves in free agency, keep up to date with our 2026 Cowboys Free Agency Tracker.
