Bobby Okereke Having Fun at First Giants OTAs

One of the first moves that New York Giants general Joe Schoen made when free agency began this off-season was to ink linebacker Bobby Okereke to a four-year deal. The signing solidified a position missing from the Giants' defense and gave the team its best linebacker since they had a healthy Blake Martinez in 2020.

Okereke comes over to a Giants defense that employs one of the top defensive lines in the league, as well as a young secondary looking to take control of games. Those factors, plus playing for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, has the 26-year-old excited for what lies ahead.

“It's been good. It's been fun. It's a process growing and growing every day," Okereke said of his time with the Giants so far. "Just trying to get better, learn the blitz schemes, learn the coverage schemes. There are different nuances. So I'm just trying to learn and be a student.”

Okereke joins the Giants from the Colts, where he had 130+ tackles in each of the last two seasons, including 151 last year. But while he's been solid against the run, one part of his game that shouldn’t go unnoticed is his ability to cover.

The Giants have struggled to find linebackers with the ability to travel with opposing tight ends and receivers, but Okereke is more than capable of doing so, and he’s confident that will translate well into the new defensive system.

“I think it's just my athleticism. I'm big, fast, and long," he said when asked why he was a fit in coverage. "Then just from a mental processing standpoint, understanding how offenses are trying to attack you and where I fit in coverage with my teammates. Just kind of putting it all together.”

One of the players Okereke is tasked with covering during practice is tight end Darren Waller, who is having a strong spring. Waller caught three touchdowns during the first day and continued his success during OTA No. 3.

Okereke recognizes that going up against Waller is a daunting task, but he’s confident in his abilities to match up with him in practice, making him a better player.

“He's a threat on the field," Okereke said. “If I'm covering him? I've got good size too. He's a great playmaker, so you just want to compete.”

Speaking of competing, there’s a competition for the spot next to Okereke for which Darrian Beavers, Micah McFadden, and Jarrad Davis are all eyeing the role. Okereke praised all three, indicating he'd be comfortable with any of them riding shotgun alongside him in the defense.

Okereke will be looked at as one of the leaders on this Giants' defense. Along with veterans Xavier McKinney, Dexter Lawrence, and Leonard Williams, he’s being counted on to provide sage wisdom to help his younger teammates, which will come in handy, especially in the linebacker room, where most players are young and inexperienced.

Despite his new role and his new team--and his new contract--Okereke insists he's still the same hungry, blue-collar player looking to be the best version of himself.

“I think that's the biggest thing that changes is outside perspective and noise," he said. "For me, it's the same process. I'm trying to get better. I'm trying to grow as a player and help my team win as best I can.”

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