Panthers Trade Tackle Jeff Otah to Jets
By Ken Dye
The Carolina Panthers have traded oft-injured tackle Jeff Otah to the New York Jets for an undisclosed conditional draft pick. Otah is in the final year of his rookie contract and is only about a $1 million cap help.
It looks to be just a business move. Otah hasn’t played 16 games in any of his first four seasons and only 4 games in ’10 and ’11 combined with knee injuries. With very limited work in mini-camp, he had to have an MRI look at it because of discomfort and swelling.
The Panthers would appear happy with Byron Bell, who filled in as the starter last season, and Bruce Campbell, whom they had earlier traded RB Mike Goodson for. The trade frees up a roster spot for a player that has room to grow and can stay healthy. Conversely, the move appears to try to light a fire under incumbent Jet RT Wayne Hunter. Perhaps they think they have a good player…between the two of them?
Tyrannosaurus Rex might be seen as reaching here, and each organization makes their own moves for the betterment of their team.
Rex Ryan needed depth or competition and may have gotten neither one, but at worst it might cost them a 7th-round pick is my guess so it fills a need for each team. The Panthers decided to cut ties with one player so they could make room for….?
Stay tuned when camp begins.