Prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals made a blockbuster trade, acquiring New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick.
The team had been eyeing a potential trade for a star defender, and when the situation with Lawrence presented itself, Cincinnati pulled the trigger. Lawrence’s addition aligns with the Bengals’ complete defensive overhaul this offseason.
However, despite the additions the team has made to the secondary and defensive line, the one position Cincinnati has not addressed in a major way is linebacker. While the team is currently in a tight spot with their available salary cap space, they could still make a move for a veteran. That is why Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante predicted the Bengals would sign former New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke.
Cincinnati Bengals Predicted to Add Former Giants Linebacker
Infante predicted landing spots for 25 of the best remaining free agents. He listed the Cincinnati Bengals as the predicted 2026 team for linebacker Bobby Okereke. Infante wrote:
“Between his stints with the Colts and Giants, Bobby Okereke has been at least a serviceable starting linebacker in the NFL for his previous seven years in the league. His play dipped in 2025, but he was a top-25 linebacker in each of his previous three seasons, so the hope for a bounce-back season isn’t unreasonable.”
Even before the draft, the idea of Okereke joining the Bengals had been floated around, as CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles listed each team’s biggest position to improve, and he offered a free agency and draft solution. Pereles listed former Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke as the best free agent fit for the Bengals.
Potential Fit With Cincinnati Bengals Defense
Regarding how Okereke might fit with the Bengals defense, Bengals On SI’s Zach Pressnell wrote:
“The linebackers have been picked through in free agency. There were plenty of options to begin the offseason, but now, Okereke is one of the best options left.
Okereke isn’t a star, by any means. His Pro Football Focus grade doesn’t jump off the page at you. He’s not an incredible athlete. But he fills a role very well. He’s reliable and dependent, which could be what the Bengals need. Pair Okereke with a linebacker in the second round of the NFL draft and the Bengals will be in a much better place going forward.”
Okereke has started 95 games over his seven-year career. He spent the first four years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, before signing a four-year, $40 million contract with the New York Giants. Okereke was released prior to the final year of his contract in a move that saved the Giants $9 million in salary cap space.
As Pressnell mentioned, Okereke did not grade particularly well by Pro Football Focus last season as he ranked 55th out of 88 qualified linebackers last season. Additionally, he missed 21 tackles last season, according to PFF.
Okereke is currently projected by Spotrac to earn $12.1 million annually; however, that seems unlikely this late into free agency.
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