ARLINGTON, Texas – Bobby Okereke isn’t one to back down from the statistics, even if some might wish he would.
In the 21-6 loss to the Giants against the Commanders, he racked up a notable 16 tackles. That sounds impressive, though, unfortunately, the defense as a whole struggled, allowing a hefty 220 rushing yards.
This led to some criticism on social media, where the focus was often on the circumstances of his tackles.
But Okereke sees it differently.
“When you make tackles, you’re really involved in the game,” he told reporters. “Quality tackles can happen at any point—whether it’s 10 yards downfield or at the line of scrimmage. There’s always a chance to make a tackle.”
He emphasized that it’s about the effort and opportunities. Yet, he acknowledged a specific missed tackle on Austin Ekeler in the fourth quarter, attributing it to misreading quarterback Jaden Daniels’ play.
“It was a moment that caught me off guard, and I definitely wish I could have that one back,” Okereke remarked. He mentioned feeling the lack of tackles for loss as something he regretted.
This game marked a significant return for Okereke after spending the last five games of the previous season sidelined with a back injury. While he noted that winning is vital, getting back on the field was a personal victory, especially as he prepared for the upcoming game against the Cowboys.
Regarding his performance, Okereke reflected, “In some ways, I feel like I’m flying. Having 16 tackles means you’re in the game, moving around, and that’s a good sign. I’d say it was a decent start.”
Meanwhile, De Chauncey Golston, who spent four seasons with the Cowboys before signing with the Giants for three years and $18 million, claimed he doesn’t have any inside information to offer his new team about the old one.
“There’s no magic formula or secret that’s going to guarantee a win,” Golston stated. “It comes down to hard work and teamwork.”
First-year Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer recalled the skills of his time with Russell Wilson, saying, “He’s one of the best deep-ball throwers I’ve ever known, and his ability to extend plays was impressive.”
