New York Giants create $4.5M in salary-cap space with contract restructure

Just before the start of the regular season, the New York Giants created some salary-cap space.

In an expected move, the Giants created roughly $4.5 million in salary-cap space by restructuring the contract of linebacker Bobby Okereke, according to Field Yates of ESPN .

The Giants made a similar move just before the start of last season, restructuring the contracts of both Okereke and star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

This time around, it was just Okereke.

The Giants weren't in a terrible spot with the salary cap, but they definitely needed to make a move like this. It's most likely the Giants converted a portion of Okereke's base salary into a signing bonus, which can now be spread over the final three years of his contract.

After entering the league as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft with the Indianapolis Colts , Okereke earned a four-year, $40 million deal with the Giants last offseason.

Okereke was his typical productive self in Wink Martindale's defense, recording 149 tackles, (92 solo), 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed.

The Giants will roll with a starting tandem of Okereke and Micah McFadden at linebacker in the first season under new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

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