Giants' Bobby Okereke looking for bounce-back season

If one word describes Bobby Okereke’s hope this offseason, it’s continuity.

There’s desire for the Giants linebacker to get back to his 2023 form after struggling at times last season under first-year defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. A disc injury in his back also cut Okereke’s season short after 12 games, the fewest he’s played in his six-year career.

“I was feeling some nerve pain. Couldn’t really sit for a couple of weeks,” Okereke said after the Giants’ second practice during OTAs. “It’s the type of injury you need to come back better or worse from. So I just feel fortunate with the medical staff, training staff here, [they] took real good care of me, and I feel back and better than ever.”

It didn’t require surgery, so Okereke has focused on a better connection with Bowen. It’s the first time since 2021 that Okereke has had the same coordinator for consecutive seasons, and he expects it to breed more comfort.

In 2023, Okereke thrived under previous coordinator Wink Martindale with 149 tackles, 10 pass deflections, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. Those numbers declined last season, but Okereke believes that more familiarity with Bowen’s system can help him be the player he was two years ago.

“I’ve been studying a lot this offseason, feel like I’m on a good mental page with Shane of how he wants to call the plays and everybody’s communication out there,” said Okereke, one of five captains last season. “So it is fun. Less thinking, more playing.”

It may be easier playing free with the new additions around him. By drafting Abdul Carter in the first round, the Giants added another linebacker and pass rusher who should allow Okereke more room to roam around the field.

His return has been welcome during OTAs as old teammates have been reacquainted with his voice bringing order on the field. For new ones, it didn’t take long to see why Okereke commands respect.

“Bobby’s the leader, man. He’s loud,” safety Jevon Holland said. “He’s in control of everything. He’s the man in the middle, so he encompasses everything that I would see a middle linebacker, him and Micah [McFadden, an inside linebacker] both.”

The Giants can only hope so. They’ve invested just over $136 million in free agency to fix a defense that ranked 24th last season and was openly criticized by president and CEO John Mara in his postseason comments.

Yet the team also needs its established players to play their part as much as the new additions. That’s where Okereke comes in, especially to fix a run defense that was ranked 27th.

With another year in Bowen’s scheme, Okereke expects that continuity to make him the disruptive force he was two years ago.

“That’s the type of player they brought me in here to be,” he said. “A guy who’s filling up the stat sheet. Forced fumbles, [pass breakups], fumbles, recoveries, picks, all that. I’m just excited to immerse myself in this defense, immerse myself with the players here so I can go out there and play free.”

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.