The Browns shouldn’t trade Odell Beckham without a huge haul in return

Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has reportedly told players and coaches on other NFL teams that he wants to leave the Browns amidst a disappointing first season in Cleveland.

When the Cleveland Browns acquired Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants this offseason at a discounted price, they thought they were headed for a playoff appearance.

Instead, the Browns have been one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams, crumbling under the pressure.

And now, FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reports Beckham has told opposing players and coaches this season, “come get me.”

He wants out of Cleveland only months into his career with the Browns.

Beckham likely saw moving from New York to Cleveland as a major upgrade. The Browns organization seemed to be in good hands with general manager John Dorsey running the show, head coach Freddie Kitchens wearing the headset, and a promising young quarterback in Baker Mayfield who could get him the ball downfield.

However, the 5-7 Browns haven’t looked like a team on the rise. Kitchens’ team looks ill-disciplined and rife with holes, especially on the offensive line. He’s looked in over his head as the Browns head coach.

Worse yet, Beckham has failed to benefit from playing with Mayfield, who has struggled mightily in his sophomore season. As a result, Beckham has caught only 57 passes for 805 yards and two touchdowns, with Mayfield rarely looking his way in the red zone. Beckham has four fewer touchdowns, 20 fewer receptions, and more than 200 fewer yards in 12 games with the Browns than he did last year in 12 games with the Giants.

Beckham’s frustrations are understandable, but they come from the disappointment in the team’s results. He clearly wants to win and is bothered by the issues at quarterback, head coach, and elsewhere.

The Browns can’t afford to trade Beckham, despite the player’s reported desire to leave, without getting a massive haul in return. They sent two high draft picks and a quality defensive back to the Giants for Beckham, and it’s unlikely they’ll get the same return if they were to trade him after a down year – a down year caused by issues which can be fixed by better coaching and quarterbacking.

Cleveland won’t get fair value for Beckham, so the best solution is to keep him and improve their roster. Beckham’s talent and past production are impossible to question, and he’s showed flashes of brilliance in 2019 when Mayfield has been able to get the ball. Fixing the offense, likely by firing Kitchens, is a good way to appease Beckham.

He won’t be happy at being kept on the Browns for another season, but if Cleveland can make strides in 2020, he can change his tune. More importantly, the Browns will have a star receiver and won’t be ripped off by a sudden trade.