New York Giants ‘are signing former Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke to four-year, $40million deal’ as Brian Daboll boosts Big Blue’s defense
Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke will officially be a New York Giant come Wednesday according to multiple reports.
General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll will, per widespread reports, give the former Stanford star a four-year, $40million contract — $22m guaranteed — to join Big Blue.
Inside linebacker has been a problem position for New York, and tackling machine Okereke provides an immediate improvement in the middle of Wink Martindale’s defense.
Okereke had 17 tackles against New York in a comfortable 38-10 victory for Daniel Jones and Co., which secured the Giants’ playoff status in Week 16.
During the January 1 game, Okereke nailed Daniel Jones with a late hit as the quarterback slid, earning himself an unnecessary roughness penalty.
The 26-year-old has 283 tackles over the past two seasons. In what was his final season in Indy, Okereke had 151 combined tackles — ranked 10th among all NFL players.
In 2022, Okereke also had two forced fumbles and recoveries, 99 solo tackles, six tackles for loss and five pass breakups.
Okereke was taken in the third round (89th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft, with the pick famously read out by former Colts punter and current sports media star, Pat McAfee.
During the announcement of the Colts’ selection, McAfee described Okereke as a ‘future Hall of Famer.’
Ranking Giants’ best offseason moves 1-25: Where does Daniel Jones’ deal belong?
What was the best move the Giants made this offseason? Was it the Darren Waller trade? The Daniel Jones extension? What about the Dexter Lawrence extension? With training camp just a few days away, we decided to rank the offseason moves that were intended to keep New York in the playoff hunt while building for a run of sustained success this franchise hasn’t enjoyed in many years.
Giants make Justin Pugh decision after pair of signings
The Giants’ reunion with Justin Pugh will last more than one game.
Pugh was signed from the practice squad to the active roster on Wednesday, with tight end Lawrence Cager getting waived to create a roster spot.
Despite Pugh filling in admirably at left guard and left tackle on Sunday in his first game with the Giants since 2017, there was some question about his future Tuesday when the Giants signed Tyre Phillips off the Eagles’ practice squad and Joshua Miles off the Falcons’ practice squad.
Pugh was a practice-squad elevation for the “Sunday Night Football” loss to the Bills and wasn’t officially on the 53-man roster, meaning other teams could sign him.
That changed on Wednesday, with Pugh likely to play a big part on the Giants’ battered offensive line.
Andrew Thomas has missed five straight games with a hamstring injury, and Joshua Ezeudu was played on IR on Tuesday after getting carted off with a toe injury during the Bills game.
