New San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa is excited about the opportunity ahead after being acquired this offseason in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran defensive lineman believes working within coordinator Raheem Morris' defense will allow him to showcase more of his skill set.

"I'm excited. I know it's a good scheme," Odighizuwa said on the Richard Sherman Podcast. "I see some of the tools that I'm going to be allowed to use to make plays in the run game, and I'm excited about that stuff.


"I feel like I'm getting some handcuffs taken off of me a little bit, to be able to kind of have one of the better years that I've had against the run, if not the best year that I've had. I'm looking forward to just being able to make plays within the scheme."

Odighizuwa eager to show more versatility with 49ers


What exactly does Odighizuwa mean by having the "handcuffs" removed? The defensive tackle explained that Morris' system should better utilize his versatility, something he felt wasn't always possible in Dallas.

"I feel like when you have to do the same thing all the time, you're predictable, and when you're predictable in football, you're very beatable," Odighizuwa said. "Obviously, there's guys like, 'Oh, I know what he's doing, you can't beat it,' but at the same time, you can, because you can scheme around certain things."

Odighizuwa believes being used in multiple ways along the defensive front will make it more difficult for opposing offenses to prepare for him. He revealed that during his very first defensive line meeting with the 49ers, coaches were already discussing new techniques and responsibilities he could utilize during the 2026 NFL season.

"Obviously, attack is going to be the main focus," Odighizuwa continued, "but being able to do different things at different times is going to only bring the attack to life more, because now, I may look like I'm about to attack, but I do something else, and you don't know exactly what's coming.


"You're going to slow down just a just a tick, and that's going to give me the edge."



Electrical substation concerns remain a talking point


Odighizuwa also addressed concerns surrounding the electrical substation located near the 49ers' practice facility. The topic has generated debate this offseason, with some questioning whether it contributed to the team's injury issues in recent years.

The 49ers commissioned an independent study to examine the concerns.

"We did hire an independent scientist, and he basically [said] it was a big nothing burger. We're safe," general manager John Lynch said in March. "We're in a safe place of work."


Still, Odighizuwa admitted the issue crossed his mind after learning he had been traded to San Francisco.

"I can't say whether or not it's concrete, but I know it's real," Odighizuwa said. "So, I'm not sure how to feel about it one way or the other. It's there, though, whether I like it or not. So, I'm not really going to let it get in the way or distract me from my work or anything like that, or blame anything on it.

"I know I have a lot of recovery stuff at my disposal. I'm going to do everything that I can to make sure I'm healthy, as I've always done, and then God got me on the rest."

49ers expectations high for 2026 season


Odighizuwa also shared his goals for the upcoming season, both individually and as part of a talented 49ers roster.

"I definitely want to make the deep playoff run and get to the dance," Odighizuwa said. "I want to get that ring, for sure. And being on a team that's been in two of the last six is very hopeful. Going into the playoffs, I think they made it to the second round of the playoffs with a bunch of guys hurt.


"And then, just bringing guys like [LB] Dre [Greenlaw] back, bringing me in, [WR] Mike Evans, and stuff like that, is awesome because it's just being a part of that cavalry."

As for personal goals, Odighizuwa avoided getting too specific but made it clear he believes his best football is still ahead of him.

"I just know, for the past five years, I haven't scratched the surface of the player that I am. It hasn't been put on full display. So I just plan on putting that on display."



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