The Cleveland Browns might be motivated to trade him now, so these five teams should be ready to make an offer for Odell Beckham Jr.
The 2019 campaign was a disappointment for the Cleveland Browns. Odell Beckham Jr. had a solid season in terms of catches (74) and yards (1,035), but he had just four touchdowns with a dismal 55.6 percent catch rate. Chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield was clearly a significant issue, as well as Beckham playing through a core muscle injury.
Beckham’s name never seems too far from trade speculation, and there’s a new rumor this week. On Wednesday morning Mike Malusis of WFAN reported the Minnesota Vikings are in trade discussions with the Browns regarding Beckham.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has inquired about the Vikings-Beckham rumor. Citing a source close to the Vikings, including apparently dismissing the trade details Malusis reported, a one-word response came:
No one attached to an organization is going to confirm trade rumors upon them being reported. But depending on who the source close the Vikings is, it’s well-known that general manager Rick Spielman can’t be trusted when it comes to addressing trade rumors and anyone else shouldn’t be trusted in that regard either.
When push comes to shove, the Browns may not be looking to trade Beckham. But they might be open for business if the right offer came, and these five teams should be ready to make said offer that can’t be refused.
5. Houston Texans
Bill O’Brien doesn’t have much significant draft capital left to part with over the next couple years. But that didn’t stop him from sending a second-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for wide receiver Brandin Cooks just last week, and any further trades can’t be considered too surprising.
The Texans still have over $19.6 million in cap space, so they can take on Beckham’s $14.25 million hit for this year.
One factor in a possible Houston-Beckham marriage is the reported conflict O’Brien had with the now-departed DeAndre Hopkins. Beckham is a whole different, truly unrivaled, level of wide receiver diva and O’Brien couldn’t deal with Hopkins and/or the idea he wanted a new contract.
But “Trader Bill” might not be able to help himself if Beckham is available, and it’s already been proven no one in the Texans’ building can stop him from doing whatever he wants.