Free-agent defensive tackle Amobi Okoye has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN Chicago on Saturday night.
Okoye spent the 2011 season with the Chicago Bears after playing his first four seasons with the Houston Texans. In the 2007 NFL Draft, Okoye was selected 10th overall at the age of 19, becoming the youngest NFL player ever drafted in the first round. After a promising 5.5-sack season in 2007, Okoye didn't reach that pass-rush production again. Okoye had four sacks for the Bears last season.
Okoye's decision to join the Buccaneers is somewhat of a surprise, considering general manager Phil Emery said earlier in the week that he expected Okoye to sign elsewhere.
"I think Amobi is trying to decide which direction he's going," Emery said. "We've had conversations with him. So far we haven't been able to work out a deal. I really believe that Amobi is probably going in a different direction."
