The New York Giants are open for business when it comes to their star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr according to Ian Rapaport.
We received an update today on one of the more polarizing figures in not only football but all of sports. Owner of the New York Giants, John Mara, came out and said that no player is untouchable including wide receiver Odell Beckham.
Beckham is a lightning rod, you either love him or you hate him there’s no in-between with him. Since he’s due to enter the last year of his contract at an $8.5 million cap hit, there’s a lot of controversy whether or not the Giants should sign him to a long-term deal.
On the field, the talent is absolutely there. Excluding last year, when he was hurt for 12 of the 16 games Beckham has had over 90 receptions, over 10 touchdowns and over 1,300 receiving yards in each of his three first years in the league. It’s very difficult to find a receiver with that kind of talent.
The issue for Beckham is the off the field stuff. To may he’s a walking controversy. Whether it’s a video of him with what looked to be drugs, the infamous Miami boat trip, the kicking net saga or his seemingly emotional behavior on the field there are many red flags when it comes to Beckham and long-term guaranteed money.
As Ian Rapaport explained today the Giants are willing to part ways with their star receiver:
From @gmfb: The #Giants are open to discussing a possible Odell Beckham Jr trade for the right price... while he won’t be on the field without a new deal. pic.twitter.com/0HDvFQzXsk
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2018
As Rapaport explains, the Giants are not actively shopping Beckham but instead listening to offers. That means the G-Men aren’t pursuing a trade but if the right opportunity presents itself they won’t necessarily turn it down.
Another key part to this is Beckham not wanting to step onto the field without a new contract. That gives Odell Beckham some leverage in negotiations as he tries to become the highest paid receiver in the game. What makes this difficult on himself is the fact that he spent most of last year on the shelf with an injury, so it depends on your vantage point on who has more leverage in negotiations.
Next: 5 perfect fits for Odell Beckham
As the draft inches closer look for this to be a continued storyline. The 25-year-old wideout is never away from the limelight for long and it looks like we could just be getting started.