The NFL commerce deadline got here and went on Tuesday with out the New York Giants making any offers.
There was hypothesis that they might half methods with some veterans as one other season has gone south on them. Impending free brokers equivalent to outdoors linebacker Azeez Ojulari and broad receiver Darius Slayton have been talked about as two gamers who may very well be traded.
Ultimately, neither was dealt, which is simply nice by Ojulari, who’s having fun with his first injury-free season in three years and has complied 6.0 sacks to this point.
“It’s cool that I don’t have to maneuver or something,” Ojulari mentioned on Wednesday, through the New York Publish. “I’m completely satisfied to be right here and able to hold going.”
After bursting onto the scene as a second-round draft select of Georgia in 2021, Ojulari has not been capable of keep wholesome, resulting in the Giants searching for pass-rush choices elsewhere.
In 2022, Large Blue chosen Kayvon Thibodeaux with the fifth total decide within the draft after which traded for Professional Bowler Brian Burns this offseason.
Thibodeaux has been on injured reserve (IR) for the previous month with a damaged wrist, which has opened the door for Ojulari to have his greatest season since setting the franchise rookie report for sacks (8.0) in 2021.
“I’m completely satisfied it’s behind me,” Ojulari mentioned of the commerce speak. “I’m locked in on this (subsequent) recreation now. I don’t should concentrate on all the opposite stuff or be taught a brand new protection.
“It’s an excellent reduction off my again. The mentality stays the identical — proceed to play onerous and bodily.”
There have been a number of groups involved in Ojulari over the previous few weeks. Arizona, Pittsburgh and Detroit have been all available in the market for cross rush assist however discovered that assist elsewhere. The rumors that surfaced mentioned the Giants would let Ojulari go for a late-round draft decide.
Ojulari will now focus on his present position and let the chips fall the place they might come March when he formally turns into a free agent.
“All I can do is play my position,” Ojulari mentioned. “Every time I’m on the market, do no matter I can to be efficient and take advantage of the chance. We’ve nonetheless eight video games — that’s a number of video games to place out good movie and attempt to get wins.”
It feels like Ojulari want to keep however the Giants could not have that luxurious. Issues have simply not lined up the appropriate means on this relationship, which is a disgrace as Ojulari is clearly a proficient participant and you may by no means have sufficient of these.
