New York Giants fans never really got to see the full potential of Azeez Ojulari. Drafted in the second round out of Georgia, he burst onto the scene by setting the franchise’s rookie sack record with eight. Since then, though, injuries have derailed his career, leaving the 25-year-old linebacker struggling to regain his early promise.
After finishing his rookie contract, Ojulari chose to follow Saquon Barkley’s path to Philadelphia, signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Eagles. Hoping for a fresh start and more opportunity, he instead found himself in a worse situation. His performance in training camp was underwhelming, and by opening night against the Cowboys, he was a healthy scratch — a glaring sign of how little faith the coaching staff has in him.
Being left off the active roster despite being fully healthy is about as bad as it gets. It essentially means the team believes they’re better off without him on the field, a harsh reality for a player once viewed as a defensive cornerstone in New York.
Reports suggested the Giants did attempt to bring Ojulari back in free agency, but he declined, hoping for a bigger role outside the shadow of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Ironically, his choice has worked out better for the Giants, who added Chauncey Golston in free agency and drafted Abdul Carter, moves that might not have happened had Ojulari stayed.
For Philadelphia, what was supposed to be a low-risk signing already looks like a mistake. Ojulari’s inability to secure even a backup role raises serious questions about whether he has any future in the league.
Once a record-setting rookie, Ojulari now finds himself fighting for his NFL career. Unless he can quickly earn back the trust of the Eagles’ coaches, his gamble to leave New York may end up being the decision that ends his time in the league altogether.
