In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Rams have traded ILB Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants in exchange for two 2018 NFL Draft picks. Ogletree had spent his first five seasons with the Rams, and had signed a 4-year contract extension back in October. The move creates another hole on the defense, but increases cap space and draft capital.
Several players had reactions, mostly negative. It’s worth keeping in mind that Ogletree was a veteran presence and had been voted as a captain by his fellow players. Soon-to-be Free Agent CB Trumaine Johnson had a few succinct tweets:
WOW !
— Trumaine Johnson (@Trujohnson2) March 7, 2018
SMH! THIS IS CRAZY
— Trumaine Johnson (@Trujohnson2) March 7, 2018
WR/Return Specialist Pharoh Cooper, who is celebrating his 23rd birthday today, responded with an equal amount of surprise:
Wait , what https://t.co/0E4N6Vshy1
— Pharoh Cooper (@KingTutt_chdown) March 7, 2018
OG Rodger Saffold, one of the few players with a longer Rams tenure than Ogletree, weighed in:
Bruh this business is nuts! https://t.co/4dVg7HCvup
— Rodger Saffold (@Rodger_Saffold) March 7, 2018
RB Todd Gurley lets his emotions be known on a regular basis. Gurley and Ogletree were teammates for one season at Georgia as well as these last three seasons with the Rams:
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) March 7, 2018
And as I was pulling together all these tweets, Ogletree himself tweeted his excitement for the future:
Everything happens for a reason and GOD makes no mistake!! Can’t wait to get to the Big and continue my career as NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANT!! #Blessed #GOGIANTS
— Alec ogletree (@MROGLETREE52) March 7, 2018
Trades like these are naturally polarizing, and, as Saffold mentioned in his tweet, reminded everyone how the NFL is a business. Ogletree’s popularity with his teammates and fans alike make this move unpopular. But PFF ranked him as the 76th LB in the NFL last season, with a “poor” designation. That in combination with his expensive price tag makes a decision like this justified.
All the best to Tree in NYC!