Azeez Ojulari ‘just working’, not focused on trade rumors

The No. 5 NFL Trade Deadline is in less than two weeks, and with pass rushers at a premium Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants could be a hot commodity.

Ojulari, a second-round pick by former Giants general manager Dave Gettleman in 2021, had compiled three sacks, three quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss in two games since stepping into the starting lineup for the injured Kayvon Thibodeaux.

After two injury-plagued seasons, that is enough to remind people of the ability Ojulari showed as a rookie, when he had 8.0 sacks and 13 quarterback hits.

Ojulari is trying to focus on his job, not on the speculation.

“I’m just working, man,” he said in the locker room on Thursday. “I know it’s business. I’m just here every single day grinding with my teammates, just blessed to keep working hard one day at a time. Take every opportunity. Never take it for granted.”

Search ‘Azeez Ojulari trade rumors’ online and you find speculation that the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and a few other teams could have interest in Ojulari, who is still just 24 years old.

There was reportedly interest in Ojulari from other teams prior to the season.

Ojulari is in the last year of his rookie contract. With Thibodeaux, currently on IR with a fractured wrist, and Brian Burns as the team’s primary edge defenders, Ojulari might be auditioning for a role elsewhere either via trade or offseason free agency.

“I’m just trying to go one day at a time,” Ojulari said. “Just take advantage of every opportunity, every practice, every rep I get. Just trying to improve myself and help this team and help this defense try to win at the end of the day.”