A pair of disappointing offensive tackles are switching teams.
The Jets and Rams are in the last stages of finalizing a trade that will send Wayne Hunter, the Jets’ recently benched right tackle, to St. Louis in exchange for Jason Smith, the Rams’ 2009 draft bust. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported that the deal was officially finished on Monday night.
Hunter has taken a great deal of criticism in New York over the last two years, and after a disastrous outing in the Jets’ preseason loss to the Giants, he was finally benched. The Jets’ coaching staff and front office claimed they were enthusiastic about Hunter’s ability to help the Jets as a backup, but apparently they weren’t enthusiastic enough to keep him on the roster.
Smith was the second overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft and has started 26 games in three years but generally been ineffective, and has had problems with concussions.
Now Smith and Hunter will both get a fresh start in new surroundings.