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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants are releasing starting middle linebacker Bobby Okereke after three seasons with the team, a source told ESPN.
The move frees up $9 million in salary cap space. Okereke, one of the team's defensive captains, was set to count $14.46 million against the cap this season.
It's the beginning of a series of moves for the Giants to free space. New York had less than $2 million in cap space heading into this week. The free agent negotiating window opens Monday.
Okereke was signed prior to the 2023 season after four years with the Indianapolis Colts. He played the best football of his career that first season with the Giants, making 149 tackles, 11 for a loss, while notching a career-best 2.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
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But a back injury and new defense slowed Okereke in his second season in New York. He played in 12 games in 2024 and finished with 93 tackles. He never seemed to fully regain his previous form.
It was always a possibility the Giants would move on from the veteran linebacker after finishing 31st in run defense (145.3 yards per game) and 32nd in yards allowed per rush (5.3 ypr) in 2025. They also overhauled the coaching staff and are installing a new defense under coach John Harbaugh, who hired Dennard Wilson from the Tennessee Titans as his defensive coordinator.
Still, moving on from Okereke opens a massive hole in the middle of the Giants defense. It's expected to be addressed during the upcoming free agency period and possibly the draft. New York could also re-sign inside linebacker Micah McFadden, who missed most of this past season and is set to become a free agent.
Harbaugh's track record suggests the Giants could make a significant move at the position. His middle linebackers during most of his time in Baltimore have been Ray Lewis, C.J. Mosely, Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith, a group of high-profile inside 'backers to lead his defense.
His comments at the NFL combine last week seemed to indicate a significant move was coming.
"The inside linebacker isn't always considered a value position, but you can't stop the run without an inside linebacker making tackles in the middle, right? You can't do it," Harbaugh said. "So that becomes pretty important."
Ohio State's Sonny Styles performed well at the combine to solidify his status as one of the best prospects in this year's draft. Devin Lloyd, Leo Chenal and Quay Walker are considered by most to be the top available middle linebackers in free agency.
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