Giants GM speaks out on Odell Beckham Jr. trade rumors
New York Giants superstar Odell Beckham Jr. has been the subject of two blockbuster reports this week.
First, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said the wide receiver will not play next season unless he gets a new long-term deal. “Odell Beckham is not going to set foot on the field without a new contract agreed to,” Rapoport said.
Then the New York Daily News reported the Los Angeles Rams have already been talking to the Giants about a possible trade for OBJ.
This created a media frenzy for Giants GM Dave Gettleman on Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Florida.
Gettleman held a news conference in which he didn’t deny that Beckham is on the trading block but also made it clear the team values the three-time Pro Bowler.
“The bottom line is, [longtime GM] Ernie [Accorsi] taught me this and I told you guys this, you don’t quit on talent,” Gettleman said.
He spent much of the interview session talking about what he wouldn’t be talking about — including the Beckham reports.
“I want you guys to understand something,” said Gettleman, who returned to the Giants in December after four years with the Carolina Panthers. “I’m not going to discuss any aspects of contracts, I’m not going to talk timelines, I’m not going to talk progress. I’m not going there. I didn’t do it in Carolina and I ain’t doing it up here, plain and simple. One of the most important responsibilities that any GM has is to eliminate internal and external distractions. …
“So you’re sitting there saying, ‘Well, what is Dave doing? What is he talking about?’ In the past two days there have been two reports about Odell that have been floated — that he won’t take the field without an extension, and the Rams are interested in trading for him. I understand the reports, people are going to print stuff, I get it. But I want you to understand this — neither Odell nor his agent have contacted us regarding either report. So to be clear — I’m not going to respond to questions about either report.”
The Beckham questions came anyway, and Gettleman answered them by saying, “I’m not going there,” “Next question” and “He’s on the team right now.”
Giants co-owner John Mara was slightly more forthcoming Tuesday, but his efforts to draw a line between listening to offers for OBJ and shopping OBJ were less than convincing.
“He’s not on the block,”’ Mara said via the New York Post. “Is that going to stop clubs from possibly calling us? No. But he’s not the block. We’re not shopping him.”
He added, “Do I want him to be traded? Absolutely not. I want him to be a Giant, but I can’t promise that’s going to happen.’’
The Giants picked up Beckham’s fifth-year option, which would pay him $8.46 million next season, but that’s a bargain for one of the best receivers in the league. Twenty-two wideouts are slated to earn more than OBJ in 2018, and Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans, who was drafted five picks ahead of Beckham in 2014, will be paid more than twice as much ($18.26 million) next year.
With quarterback Eli Manning nearing the end of his career and New York almost certain to draft his replacement next month, the Giants appear to be entering a period of transition.
It remains to be seen whether Odell Beckham Jr. will be a part of that.
“Every decision we make will be in the best interest of the New York Football Giants,” Gettleman said.
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