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Giants HC John Harbaugh Dealt Bad News on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 9:09 PM ET

John Harbaugh spent the last 18 NFL seasons as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, helping them win Super Bowl XLVII and earning the 2019 Coach of the Year award. But after missing the playoffs in 2025, Harbaugh and the Ravens parted ways before he became the head coach of the New York Giants a few weeks later.

The Giants are coming off another disappointing season in 2025 as well, finishing with a 4-13 record and missing out on the postseason for a third-straight year. But New York does have some bright spots, including the young offensive duo of quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo , along with an elite pass rusher in Brian Burns. However, the Giants will be without a key piece heading into 2026.

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh walks to the stage at the press conference.Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Bobby Okereke, after a college career with the Stanford Cardinal, was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 89 pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The linebacker spent his first four seasons with the Colts, recording more than 100 total tackles in each of his final two before departing after the 2022 season.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Okereke signed a four-year deal with the Giants and has been one of their key defensive pieces over the last three years, leading the team in tackles during that span. In 2025, Okereke had one of the better seasons of his seven-year career, recording 143 tackles, one sack, a fumble recovery and two interceptions.

But on Tuesday, the Giants decided it was time for a change, releasing Okereke despite him having a year left on his deal and leaving Harbaugh searching for answers at the linebacker position.

"Sources: The #Giants have informed LB and defensive captain Bobby Okereke that he will be released," NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on X. "The team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year amassed 385 tackles in 3 seasons with the Giants (143 last season), but now will get a head start on free agency. Okereke was entering the final year of a 4-year $40M contract and was due to make $9M."

Sources: The #Giants have informed LB and defensive captain Bobby Okereke that he will be released.

The team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year amassed 385 tackles in 3 seasons with the Giants (143 last season), but now will get a head start on free agency. Okereke was entering… pic.twitter.com/xAPk7jqEmf
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 4, 2026