The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off a championship run, made waves in free agency to bolster their pass rush after losing key players like Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Brandon Graham. The team moved quickly to add talent, but not every acquisition is guaranteed a spot on the final 53-man roster. According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, one surprising name potentially on the chopping block is former New York Giants standout Azeez Ojulari.
Davenport didn’t mince words when discussing Ojulari’s precarious position: “It wasn’t supposed to be like this for Azeez Ojulari in Philadelphia. Over his four seasons with the New York Giants, he showed high-end per-snap production, including six sacks in less than 400 snaps last year. Durability was an issue, but if he could just stay healthy, he was headed for a career season in Philadelphia’s new-look defensive front.”
However, Ojulari’s transition to the Eagles has been anything but smooth. Despite his proven track record—22 sacks over four seasons with the Giants, including an impressive eight as a rookie in 2021—the 29-year-old edge rusher has struggled to make an impact in Philadelphia. Davenport notes that Ojulari has fallen behind Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt on the depth chart, which was somewhat expected. But being overtaken by veteran Josh Uche, who has managed only five sacks over the past two seasons, raises red flags.
So, what’s gone wrong? Davenport speculates it could be the challenge of adapting to a new defensive scheme or the lingering effects of past injuries sapping Ojulari’s explosiveness. “Whatever the reason, he has looked nothing like the explosive pass-rusher he was in New York,” Davenport said. With a minimal dead cap hit, cutting Ojulari could be an easy, albeit shocking, decision for the Eagles.
Ojulari’s potential release is surprising given his upside as a buy-low, high-reward signing. His six sacks in limited snaps last season with the Giants hinted at a player ready to break out if he could stay healthy. Yet, early impressions in Philadelphia suggest he hasn’t won over the coaching staff or front office.
As the Eagles prepare for the 2025 NFL regular season, all eyes will be on Ojulari over the next few weeks. Can he turn things around and prove his worth to the reigning champions? Or will Philadelphia’s bold offseason gamble end with Ojulari’s career hanging in the balance? While Davenport’s prediction of a cut may seem aggressive, it underscores the high stakes for Ojulari to reclaim his status as a game-changing pass rusher.