Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bears, Panthers Showing Interest In Intriguing LB Bobby Okereke

Originally posted on NFL Analysis Network
By Kenneth Teape | Last updated 3/7/23

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke could not have picked a better time to be hitting the open market. The 2019 third-round pick out of Stanford had a great fourth season in the NFL and will be looking to cash in this offseason.

The Colts will assuredly try and retain Bobby Okereke, but it certainly won’t be easy. According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz of The Score, Bobby Okereke was one of the names trending during the NFL Combine.

According to Schultz, the tackling machine is going to have a significant market with multiple suitors. Bobby Okereke is expected to sign a deal worth $12-14 million and the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers have been mentioned as two teams monitoring the situation.

#Colts FA LB Bobby Okereke was a trending name in Indy. Lots of teams like him and sources say he has a significant market with several suitors – including the #Bears and #Panthers. I’m told Okereke could sign a deal in the $12-14M range, per season. @theScore pic.twitter.com/EkuLMMXiad
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 6, 2023

Bobby Okereke is coming off back-to-back seasons of 100+ tackles and 50+ defensive stops. More responsibility was on his shoulders with Shaquille Leonard absent for a large chunk of the season and he responded. The 72.9 grade that Bobby Okereke received for the 2022 season was 23rd at the position.

He makes for a great fit for the Bears because his strength right now is against the run, where they struggled last season. Chicago was 31st in rushing yards allowed and last in rushing touchdowns given up. Adding Bobby Okereke to the second level of their defense will instantly help turn those numbers around.

The Panthers were better than the Bears when it comes to stopping the run, but improvements could certainly be made. Carolina was 18th in rushing yards allowed and 21st in touchdowns given up.

However, the Bears have a huge edge when it comes to landing Bobby Okereke. They have the most cap space in the NFL at nearly $95 million. Chicago can outbid any franchise for any player should they really want them. The Panthers, on the other hand, still have some work to do to get under the salary cap, as they are still more than $3 million over.

This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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