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The seven-year veteran last played for the Giants but was released early in the offseason. Okereke performed admirably in both pass defense and on the pass rush but struggled against the run in 2025, likely now set to fill a rotational role for a Panthers defense that completely re-tooled the interior of their second level. The financial details of the contract were not immediately made available.

Okereke was a third-round pick by the Colts in 2019. A seven-year NFL veteran, the 30-year-old linebacker spent the last three seasons with the Giants. He started 17 games with at least 140 total tackles in two of the last three years with New York. Okereke comes to the Panthers as premium linebacker depth.

Okereke was set to enter the last year of a four-year deal he signed in 2023. Initially drafted in the third round by the Colts, Okereke joined the Giants after four seasons and started all 46 games he played with the team. He tallied 385 combined tackles and four interceptions over three seasons as the Giants’ defensive captain, though his play declined with a 56.3 PFF grade in 2025, good for No. 56 among linebackers. The Giants will save $9 million in cap space by cutting Okereke, who will get a head start on free agency with the new league year on the horizon.

The move ends the veteran linebacker’s season. Okereke appeared in 12 games for the Giants in 2024, amassing 93 total tackles and 2.0 sacks in his sixth professional season. It was his second season with the Giants after entering the league as a third-round selection by the Colts in the 2019 NFL Draft.

He did not practice all week and has not played since Thanksgiving. Darius Muasau and Micah McFadden started at middle linebacker for the Giants against Baltimore last week and should be in line to go again.

Okereke ranks second on the team in both run-defense tackles (36) and tackles for loss or no gain (nine). His absence is significant for a matchup against the Ravens’ elite rushing attack. The Giants also ruled out G Jon Runyan (ankle) and DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder). Per beat reporter Pat Leonard, “QB Drew Lock (heel/left elbow) is out of the boot and has a chance to be the emergency 3rd.”

Head coach Brian Daboll called Okereke week to week, meaning he’s unlikely to suit up versus the Saints. Okereke has two sacks, three forced fumbles, and a pair of recovered fumbles this year. He also leads the Giants in combined tackles.