March 4, 2026, 6:06 a.m. ET
The New York Giants are reportedly moving on from inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, a defensive captain and the team’s leading tackler in 2025.
The move, which was widely anticipated among reports and fans alike, will free up approximately $9 million in salary cap space.
Big Blue is currently just $2.4 million over the salary cap heading into the new league year and free agency on March 11, and needed to create more space to sign players that fit new head coach John Harbaugh’s vision.
The Giants have a new defensive coordinator in Dennard Wilson, and the goal is to build a front seven that will be staunch versus the run. The Giants were 31st in rushing defense last season and have not had a defense ranked higher than No. 22 since their Super Bowl championship season of 2011, when they were ranked 12th overall.
There is a plan. Harbaugh has always had strong players in the middle of his defenses in Baltimore.
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The speculation is that the Giants are high on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, who had an eye-opening performance at last week’s NFL Combine.
Other options could already be in-house. They can move last year’s first-round pick, Abdul Carter, inside, or bring back Micah McFadden, an impending free agent come next week, on a one-year, prove-it deal.
