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NFL Rumors: Giants open to trading Odell Beckham, Jr

By Adam Strangis

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: Odell Beckham Jr. No. 13 of the New York Giants looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs defeated the Giants 25-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: Odell Beckham Jr. No. 13 of the New York Giants looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs defeated the Giants 25-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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For some reason, the New York Giants aren’t ruling out trading one of the best receivers in football in Odell Beckham, Jr.

This time of the year can be one of the quieter times in the NFL calendar year. The dust has settled with most of the free agents, the Combine is over and most teams are strictly in prep mode for the Draft in late April. New York Giants and owner John Mara made some waves earlier on Sunday when discussing Odell Beckham, Jr. and his future with the team, via ESPN.

Mara was asked by Kevin Seifert is Beckham could be in a different uniform when the season starts and was very non-committal.

"“I can’t answer that one way or the other. We’re certainly not shopping him. Again, when you’re coming off a season when you’re 3-13 and played as poorly as we played, I wouldn’t say that anyone is untouchable.”"

So the Giants aren’t actively shopping Beckham, but he’s also not untouchable.

It’s important to note that Mara is explicitly saying Beckham is not being shopped. In addition, for every rumor such as this, the fans hear it’s a safe bet there’s 10 more behind the scenes nobody knows about. This is what owners and general managers do, they discuss possibilities all the time.

Beckham is coming off a lost season in his own right, as he broke an ankle just a quarter of the way into the year. He also was hurt during the preseason against the Cleveland Browns. The offseason hasn’t been much kinder to him as he posted a video on social media with him engaging in some potentially questionable behavior. The video definitely brought unnecessary attention to the star receiver and this is why Mara has to determine if Beckham’s future will be with the Giants or elsewhere.

His antics on the field haven’t always gone over well in New York, either. He’s been suspended for his conduct against cornerback Josh Norman and has repeatedly been at the center of attention for celebrations and his temper on the sidelines.

When all is said and done, Beckham is still one of the best players in football. Given that the Giants fancy themselves as a playoff contender, it seems a little odd they would seriously consider trading Beckham unless they get an incredible return.

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Could Beckham do a better job of not bringing distractions to the team? Absolutely. He’s also never run afoul of the law. It just doesn’t make much sense on the surface to trade a game-changer like Beckham.

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