The St. Louis Rams released two veteran offensive linemen in center Scott Wells and offensive tackle Jake Long on Monday, March 9, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Jim Thomas. The moves save the Rams about $12.5 million in cap space for the 2015 season.
Long was scheduled to make a $4 million bonus on Thursday, while Wells had a $1 million bonus coming to him. Both players were released after being plagued with injuries and were inconsistent when healthy as well. The Rams signed Wells back in 2012, and he never quite made the impact he did while playing for the Green Bay Packers. Long was the prized free agent acquisition in 2013, and signed a monster four-year, $34 million contract.
Both moves appeared inevitable since the Rams needed to relieve some cap space heading into the offseason. Long’s fate especially became clear when rookie tackle Greg Robinson made the early transition to left tackle.
The Rams will likely need to find a replacement right tackle since talks with Joe Barksdale have ceased for the the time being. The center position is likely on the Rams’ radar too since Demetrius Rhaney and Barrett Jones are the only centers on the roster and both are inexperienced. There is still a possibility that the Rams could bring back both players at a reduced rate.
Source: Sportrac.com
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