ClutchPoints
As the Philadelphia Eagles kick off their 2025 OTAs, the defending Super Bowl champions find themselves in a unique position: balancing the challenge of repeating as champions with the need to integrate new faces and prove that last year’s magic was no fluke. While many players have something to prove in the spring, one individual stands out as the Eagle with the most to gain, or lose, during these critical offseason sessions, Azeez Ojulari.
Azeez Ojulari arrives in Philadelphia after four roller-coaster seasons with the New York Giants. The former second-round pick has tantalized with his pass-rushing ability, amassing 22 sacks in just 46 games, but injuries have repeatedly derailed his career. Now, on a one-year, $4 million “prove-it” deal, Ojulari has the opportunity to be a difference-maker for an Eagles defense that lost key edge rushers Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason. The Eagles are counting on Ojulari to stay healthy and provide a consistent presence opposite Nolan Smith and alongside fellow newcomer Joshua Uche.
For Ojulari, OTAs represent more than just a chance to learn a new defense under coordinator Vic Fangio. They are a proving ground, a place to demonstrate that he can be relied upon as a starter and a leader in the pass rush rotation. The Eagles’ edge group is young and relatively unproven beyond Smith, who is coming off a triceps injury suffered in the Super Bowl. If Ojulari can show that he is in peak physical condition and ready to take on a larger workload, he will not only secure his spot but also give the Eagles a much-needed boost in their quest to repeat.
The pressure on Ojulari is immense. The Eagles’ defense was a major factor in their Super Bowl run, and the pass rush was at the heart of that success. With Sweat and Graham gone, the Eagles’ ability to generate pressure off the edge will hinge on the contributions of newcomers like Ojulari. If he fails to make an impact during OTAs and the preseason, the Eagles may be forced to rely even more heavily on their young players, increasing the risk of inconsistency and exposing the defense to exploitation by opposing offenses.
Beyond his own career trajectory, Ojulari’s performance at OTAs will have far-reaching implications for the entire Eagles defense. A strong showing from Ojulari would provide stability and depth at a critical position, allowing Fangio to be more creative with his blitz packages and coverage schemes. Conversely, if Ojulari struggles with injuries or fails to stand out, the Eagles may be forced to dip further into their limited resources to address the edge rusher position, potentially at the expense of other areas of need.
Ojulari’s presence, or absence, will also be felt in the development of the Eagles’ younger pass rushers. Players like Jalyx Hunt and Moro Ojomo are looking to make a jump in 2025, and a healthy, productive Ojulari could...
