Azeez Ojulari relieved to remain with New York Giants

The NFL trade deadline came and went on Tuesday without the New York Giants making any deals.

There was speculation that they could part ways with some veterans as another season has gone south on them. Impending free agents such as outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari and wide receiver Darius Slayton were mentioned as two players who could be traded.

In the end, neither was dealt, which is just fine by Ojulari, who is enjoying his first injury-free season in three years and has complied 6.0 sacks thus far.

“It’s cool that I don’t have to move or anything,” Ojulari said on Wednesday, via the New York Post. “I’m happy to be here and ready to keep going.”

After bursting onto the scene as a second-round draft pick out of Georgia in 2021, Ojulari has not been able to stay healthy, leading to the Giants seeking pass-rush options elsewhere.

In 2022, Big Blue selected Kayvon Thibodeaux with the 5th overall pick in the draft and then traded for Pro Bowler Brian Burns this offseason.

Thibodeaux has been on injured reserve (IR) for the past month with a broken wrist, which has opened the door for Ojulari to have his best season since setting the franchise rookie record for sacks (8.0) in 2021.

“I’m happy it’s behind me,” Ojulari said of the trade talk. “I’m locked in on this (next) game now. I don’t have to focus on all the other stuff or learn a new defense.

“It’s a good relief off my back. The mentality stays the same — continue to play hard and physical.”

There were several teams interested in Ojulari over the past few weeks. Arizona, Pittsburgh and Detroit were all in the market for pass rush help but found that help elsewhere. The rumors that surfaced said the Giants would let Ojulari go for a late-round draft pick.

Ojulari will now concentrate on his current role and let the chips fall where they may come March when he officially becomes a free agent.

“All I can do is play my role,” Ojulari said. “Whenever I’m out there, do whatever I can to be effective and make the most of the opportunity. We’ve still eight games — that’s a lot of games to put out good film and try to get wins.”

It sounds like Ojulari would like to stay but the Giants may not have that luxury. Things have just not lined up the right way in this relationship, which is a shame as Ojulari is clearly a talented player and you can never have enough of those.