The Carolina Panthers bolstered their linebacker room on Sunday, agreeing to terms with veteran inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, according to multiple reports.
Okereke’s signing adds to a competition to find the linebacker that will start opposite Devin Lloyd. Trevin Wallace, a 2024 third-round pick and Claudin Cherelus battled throughout training camp without a clear winner in that competition being named following training camp and preseason.
Given Okereke’s experience as a starting middle linebacker for two teams, he will likely leap both Wallace and Cherelus in the pecking order ahead of Week 1.
Okreke, 30, spent the last three seasons with the New York Giants. Prior to that, the Stanford alum played four years in Indianapolis as a 2019 third-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts. He’s accumulated 805 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 36 pass breakups, seven interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in his seven year career.
Last season, Okereke played and started in 17 games, collecting 143 tackles (two for loss), a sack, six pass breakups and two interceptions for New York.
