Los Angeles Rams continue busy offseason, trade Alec Ogletree to New York Giants

Little did I know that Wednesday would be “NFC West trades with the NFC East” day.

Not too long after the report confirming Michael Bennett’s trade from the Seattle Seahawks to the Philadelphia Eagles, the ever-busy Los Angeles Rams will soon ship linebacker Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants. The Rams will receive 2018 fourth- and sixth-round picks, while also sending the Giants a 2019 seventh-rounder.

Ogletree had just signed a four-year, $42 million contract extension with the Rams midway through the 2017 season, making him the third-highest paid inside linebacker in the NFL. The 26-year-old was due for a $3 million base salary in 2018, as well as a $7 million roster bonus.

Over the Cap reports that moving Ogletree saves $5.2 million in cap space for the Rams, who have big decisions coming up that include potentially re-signing free agent wide receiver Sammy Watkins, as well as giving unblockable defensive tackle Aaron Donald his deserved contract extension.

So far, the Rams have acquired cornerback Marcus Peters via trade, sent pass-rusher Robert Quinn to the Dolphins, and now Alec Ogletree to the Giants. Safety Lamarcus Joyner just got the non-exclusive franchise tag slapped on him, so unless some team is crazy enough to give up two first-round picks to get Joyner, he’s staying in Los Angeles.

These are certainly interesting times in the NFC West, and the Seahawks are hardly the only team in their own division making some major moves on the defensive side of the ball.