Philadelphia Eagles Bolster Defense with Azeez Ojulari Signing
In a move that has fans buzzing, the Philadelphia Eagles have added some serious firepower to their defensive lineup. Free agent pass rusher Azeez Ojulari is set to join the reigning Super Bowl champions on a one-year, $4 million deal. This exciting development was reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday, and it’s already sparking conversations among NFL enthusiasts.
Ojulari, who spent last season with the New York Giants, made a notable impact with six sacks in just 11 games. His addition to the Eagles comes at a crucial time, as the team recently lost defensive end Josh Sweat to the Arizona Cardinals. Ojulari will join forces with Joshua Uche, another free agent pass rusher, to fortify the Eagles’ defense.
Drafted in the second round by the Giants out of the University of Georgia in the 2021 NFL draft, Ojulari showed immense promise during his rookie year, racking up eight sacks in 17 games. However, his journey has been marred by injuries, which have limited his playing time and impact on the field.
Over the past three seasons, Ojulari has managed to accumulate 14 sacks in 29 games. His 2022 season was particularly challenging, as he was sidelined for much of it due to calf, ankle, and quad injuries. The following year, ankle and hamstring issues continued to plague him, and he missed the final six games of the most recent season with a toe injury.
Despite these setbacks, Ojulari has demonstrated his potential when healthy. Last season, he stepped up impressively when Kayvon Thibodeaux was injured, recording five sacks in a three-game stretch. Unfortunately, his momentum was halted by a ligament injury in his big toe, which, while not requiring surgery, led to him being placed on injured reserve as the Giants’ season wound down.
In his four professional seasons, Ojulari has amassed 107 tackles and 22 sacks, showcasing his ability to be a disruptive force on the field. However, his role with the Giants shifted in 2024 when the team acquired Brian Burns, relegating Ojulari to a situational pass rusher behind Burns and Thibodeaux.
As Ojulari prepares to don the Eagles’ green and white, fans are eager to see how he will fit into the team’s defensive scheme. His knack for bending around the edge and his quickness off the line make him a valuable asset, provided he can stay healthy and on the field.
- Ojulari’s Career Stats:
- 107 tackles
- 22 sacks
- 14 sacks in the past three seasons
With the Eagles looking to defend their Super Bowl title, the addition of Ojulari and Uche could be pivotal in maintaining a formidable pass rush. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Ojulari to see if he can overcome his injury woes and make a significant impact in Philadelphia.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN
