Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke will be one of the NFL’s top free agents this offseason. What teams are likely to go after Okereke?
For the last four seasons, Bobby Okereke has been a really good linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts. He started 49 of the 64 games he played in and racked up 420 tackles, 15 for a loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles, 17 pass deflections, and three interceptions. Okereke has really established himself as one of the better linebackers in football and now he’s set to become a free agent this offseason.
The Colts are lucky to have several really good linebackers on the roster, but unfortunately, there aren’t enough starting spots or money for all of them. That’s why Indianapolis is going to allow Okereke to enter free agency while the team moves forward with Shaq Leonard and Zaire Franklin as the two starting linebackers.
Fortunately for Okereke, he’s expected to have a big market of interested teams in free agency. He will be able to find a nice contract on a team that will offer him the role to lead a defense and thrive. Let’s take a look at some of the teams that will likely go after Bobby Okereke in free agency.
4. Carolina Panthers will likely go after Bobby Okereke
The Carolina Panthers are one of the teams that make a lot of sense. They’re a young team with a lot of talent and could be competitive in an underwhelming NFC South with a few additions at key positions. The team’s future at quarterback is the big discussion, and Carolina could jump Indy in the draft to select a quarterback, but linebacker is also a position the Panthers likely want to add to.
Carolina’s chances of landing Okereke are strengthened by the fact that Frank Reich is the new head coach for the Panthers. Reich coached Okereke in Indianapolis from the time Okereke was drafted, up until Reich was fired. Obviously, Okereke is a linebacker and Reich worked on the offensive side of the ball, but Reich likely still built a relationship with Okereke as his head coach.
That sense of familiarity good lead to Okereke joining a Panthers defense that has several young and talented pieces. Placing Okereke into the middle of that defense can help Carolina get things rolling.