NFL training camp starts this month, which means players around the league are getting their last bits of offseason work in before the real work of trying to make the roster begins.
For certain players, this season is what some may call "Make or Break," meaning they need to put together a productive year or they could be looking for employment elsewhere at the end of the campaign.
We’re highlighting some of those players for the Giants, concluding today with linebacker Bobby Okereke.
2024 Stats
12 games started
93 tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles
Two sacks, two quarterback hits, three passes defensed
Why Make or Break?
Okereke is entering the third year of a four-year, $40 million contract which was looking like good value after he filled out the stat sheet in 2023 with 149 tackles, 10 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions. However, as with most of the players we’ve been covering in this series, his production took a step back in 2024, leaving his future uncertain.
The veteran was still one of the Giants’ better defensive performers last season, but was linked with trade speculation once the Giants dropped out of contention at the deadline and missed the last five games of the season with a herniated disc.
The Giants don’t have much proven depth at the linebacker position, and Okereke has been a team captain and key communicator. He needs to reestablish himself as a core contributor for the Giants to make the anticipated improvements on that side of the ball.
What will break it?
A couple of reports during the offseason suggest that Okereke’s spot is not as secure as you might think. Recently, a report in the Athletic said there is an "odd vibe" surrounding Okereke, who was absent for four media-attended on-field workouts.
The situation was even compared to that of Blake Martinez, another Giants linebacker who was surprisingly cut before the 2022 season in a similar scenario.
The injury may be a concern, too.
Okereke is expected to be ready for training camp, but any kind of disc injury could be susceptible to reoccurring and lingering on into the regular season, especially at a high impact position like linebacker. A similar injury cost Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley most of last season and he ultimately opted to retire.
What will make it?
Okereke seemed upbeat and confident when he met with the media during the offseason. A big part of that was his certainty that he will benefit from being in Shane Bowen’s system for a second season. Okereke noted that he has typically been on teams that have made coaching personnel changes, so this is his first time playing in the same system in consecutive years since his second season in the league.
Okereke will also benefit from the fact that the Giants made good additions to the defensive line and secondary to upgrade multiple positions. Surrounding him with more talent is sure to give him more opportunities to make impact plays. In addition, the Giants didn’t make any significant moves at linebacker, so there’s no reason to believe Okereke’s place on the depth chart is under fire.
As noted, Okereke is a key leader and capable of filling up the stat sheet. A healthy and motivated Okereke could be a major contributor on a Giants defense which, on paper, looks like it should be much better than it has been in recent years.
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