Giants Now: Brian Baldinger breaks down Bobby Okereke’s game tape

As if all of his on-field production wasn’t enough, Okereke was also voted a team captain prior to the start of his first season with the Giants, indicative of his leadership within the locker room.

“You go through and you’re always evaluating yourself and so I think our free agent process was good,” general manager Joe Schoen said following the conclusion of the 2023 campaign. “We brought in guys that fit our culture, they were good guys, they helped elevate their rooms and Bobby O’s one of those guys.”

Okereke combined with Micah McFadden to create a formidable linebacker duo last season, as the latter set numerous career-highs himself in 2023. McFadden recorded 101 total tackles (63 solo), 12 tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four fumble recoveries, five passes defensed and an interception, all of which topped his rookie season marks.

“I think we can be as good as we want to be,” Okereke said Tuesday about the defense’s potential. “We have very talented pieces and we’re just working every day to get better.”

Baldinger was also present for Wednesday’s minicamp practice, where he took note of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers’ explosiveness.