The Giants went into this offseason up against the salary cap and the plan was to create more space by cutting players from their roster.
One player expected to get the unwanted call was linebacker Bobby Okereke and on Tuesday he was informed that he will be released, The Post confirmed.
The move will free up $9 million in cap space.
Okereke was set to count $14.4 million on the 2026 cap as he entered the final year of a four-year, $40 million deal he signed in 2023.
The release will create a dead cap hit of $5.4 million and create an opening smack in the middle of the Giants’ defense.
Salary cap space is fluid.
Over The Cap had the Giants with $1.7 in cap space and Spotrac had the Giants at $5.7 million under the cap. The 2026 salary cap in the NFL will be $301.2 million.
The Giants will likely revamp their entire inside linebacker position, with Micah McFadden coming off foot surgery and an impending free agent.
Even if McFadden returns, there will be reinforcements in free agency and the NFL Draft. The Giants have the No. 5 overall pick and linebacker Sonny Styles of Ohio State impressed them, and everyone else, last week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
New head coach John Harbaugh was accustomed to high quality middle linebackers during his 18 years with the Ravens and he has stated that improving the run defense is a priority.
Okereke, 29, made an instant impact in his first season with the Giants. He was voted to be a team captain in 2023, a rarity for a player entering the locker room for the first time with new teammates.
He was the brains of the Wink Martindale defense, making the calls on the field and flying around with abandon, making 149 tackles and establishing career highs in tackles for loss (11), sacks (2.5) and quarterback hits (six).
He missed the final five games in 2024 with a back injury and when he was on the field, he was not the force he was the year prior, playing in new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s system.
In 2025, Okereke rebounded, starting all 17 games and amassing 143 tackles. He did not completely return to form — only two tackles for loss — but did play well down the stretch.
He also was the Giants’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, reflecting his many off-the-field endeavors and work in the community. He remained a highly-respected person and presence within the team hierarchy.
There will be more cap casualties in the days to come, as the free agency negotiating period begins March 9 and signings can be made official March 11.
Running back Devon Singletary is expected to be released, which would create $5.3 million in cap savings.
Others who could get the call are offensive lineman James Hudson ($5.4 million cap savings), kicker Graham Gano ($4.5 million), punter Jamie Gillan ($1.2 million), defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris ($3.4 million) and linebacker Chris Board ($2.1 million).