When the Philadelphia Eagles revamped their pass rush rotation this offseason, many thought that newcomer Azeez Ojulari would play a big part, at least as a depth piece, for the new-look Eagles defense. Through the first four weeks of the season, however, Ojulari has been nowhere to be seen and has yet to make his season debut.
Ahead of the Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, however, the Eagles might not have a choice but to play him. With the injuries in the defensive end rotation piling up, the former Giants defender has a clear path to turn his season around.
Azeez Ojulari Has Perfect Opportunity to Turn Season Around
In the first three weeks of the season, Ojulari and Ogbo Okoronkwo were inactive, as Nick Sirianni and Vic Fangio elected to play fellow free agent signings Josh Uche and Za'Darius Smith, instead. When Nolan Smith landed on the injured reserve ahead of Week 4, fans were wondering who would be activated against the Bucs. It turned out that Okoronkwo had the leg up. Unfortunately, he could only last four defensive snaps before he suffered a triceps injury that will likely keep him out for the rest of the season.
Unless the Eagles make a move between now and Sunday, Ojulari will be a part of the rotation against the Broncos. Going up against one of the NFL's best offensive lines in his debut will be a difficult challenge for Ojulari. The Broncos have allowed the fewest sacks of any team in the league, with only three in four games, and Pro Football Focus grades them as the best unit through four weeks.
After that, things get even more interesting for Ojulari, who will get to play his former team twice in a span of three weeks. The Eagles face the Giants in Week 6 and Week 8, giving him not only a chance to get revenge on his former team but also to make a big impact against a struggling offense.
The hope for Ojulari is for him to go back to the intriguing flashes he showed in the preseason. While he may never reach the heights many were expecting of him when he became a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Eagles would be thrilled to have Ojulari make a few plays like he did in three preseason games in August. In the 65 defensive snaps there, he had a sack, a QB hurry, and three tackles, largely looking like a valuable backup.
That is why the start of the regular season has been such a letdown for the 25-year-old defender. Let's hope that he makes the most of this big opportunity to turn his fortunes around.