Giants Release Linebacker Okereke
The New York Giants are releasing middle linebacker Bobby Okereke after three years with the team. The Colts also placed a transition tag on QB Jones, while Houston released safety Jimmie Ward to save $750,000 in cap space. These moves follow the recent flurry of franchise tags across the NFL.
The release of Bobby Okereke is the first major roster move under new head coach John Harbaugh and will save the Giants $9 million against the 2026 salary cap. However, the move also leaves behind a $5.4 million dead cap hit. Okereke was entering the final year of a four-year, $40 million contract he signed in 2023, which included $21.8 million in guaranteed money. Despite leading the team in tackles during his two healthy seasons, the Giants are looking for financial flexibility as they are reportedly just $1.8 million under the cap. In his first season with New York in 2023, Okereke was a standout, recording 149 tackles and, along with teammate Xavier McKinney, did not miss a single defensive snap all year. He bounced back from a back injury that cost him five games in 2024 to again lead the team with 143 tackles in 2025. Meanwhile, the Colts' use of the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones is a rare maneuver, marking the first time it has been used on a quarterback since 1996. The tag is worth a fully guaranteed $37.833 million for one year and allows Indianapolis to match any offer sheet Jones signs with another team. Unlike the franchise tag, if the Colts choose not to match an offer, they will receive no draft pick compensation in return. Jones, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, led the Colts to an 8-5 record before his injury in 2025. The Texans' release of Jimmie Ward saves the team a net of $750,000 in salary cap space. Ward, 34, missed the entire 2025 season after landing on the reserve/physically unable to perform list following a foot injury and a legal matter in which a grand jury declined to indict him.
