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Former New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke trying to make a play during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The New York Jets have a chance to fill one of their biggest remaining roster holes.
Longtime veteran coach Kou urged the Jets to make a play for former New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke in free agency.
“The Jets should look to sign Bobby Okereke. He had an average year, but he’s still an outstanding football player! He would give them great versatility and push for that starting linebacker position! He could be the third linebacker option in base and would push for the starting position,” Coach Kou posted.
The jets should look to sign Bobby okereke, He had a an average year, but hes still an outstanding football player! He would give them great versatility and push for that starting linebacker position! He could be the third linebacker option in base and would push for the
Okereke, 29, will turn 30 before the start of the 2026 season.
He spent the last three years with the Giants. Okereke got cut by New York in March ahead of free agency.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan explained that it was a cost-cutting move by Big Blue. They saved $9 million in cap space with the maneuver.
During those three years, Okereke was wildly productive. He appeared in 46 out of 51 possible games during his Giants tenure. Okereke collected four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 5.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 19 pass deflections, and had 385 total tackles.
The former Stanford product originally entered the league as the No. 89 overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. Before joining the Giants, he spent the first four years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts.
Demario Davis was one of the splash additions for the Jets in free agency. He inked a two-year $22.5 million deal with $15 million of that guaranteed.
Davis is a decorated linebacker. In his career, he has been named to five All-Pro squads, was a Pro Bowler twice, and led the league in tackles in 2017.
The only problem is his age; Davis is 37. The good news is Davis has been remarkably durable despite his advanced age.
“[Davis] has been able to play 227 games (plus five more in the playoffs), missing only two games in his first 14 seasons … average more than 1,000 snaps a season … amass more than 100 tackles a year,” Jets senior contributor Randy Lange wrote.
Let’s assume he is good to go; that is still only one linebacker. The rest of the room provides more questions than answers for the Jets.
On the Jets’ 91-man roster, they have nine linebackers listed. That is a somewhat deceiving number because the Jets will employ both a 3-4 and a 4-3 defense. So this group of nine also includes some stand-up outside linebackers, who are also more commonly referred to as pass rushers.
The source of the Jets’ weakness isn’t pass rushers; it is off-ball linebackers.
Jamien Sherwood was the first player this new regime gave the bag to last offseason. Things didn’t go well for him or really anyone on the defensive side of the ball in 2025.
Francisco Mauigoa was super inconsistent as a rookie last season. The Jets have two veterans, but they’re more so special teams contributors than players you can rely upon on defense: Mykal Walker and Marcelino McCrary-Ball.
The Jets need somebody in general to eat up some reps next to Davis. However, they also need some insurance just in case Davis is unable to go at any point.
You’d rather be proactive on that front so you don’t have to scramble later when it happens. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, "The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital." Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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