Month: March 2019

Giants Trade Odell Beckham Jr.

Jaclyn MarrLeave a comment

The New York Giants have traded star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns. Yes, you read that right.

In a shocking move that broke Tuesday night, the Giants agreed to send OBJ to the Browns in exchange for safety Jabril Peppers and the Browns’ first (No. 17 overall) and third round (No. 95 overall) picks in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.

Trade rumors had become a speculation around Beckham and the Giants these last couple of seasons. After another poor Giants’ season and more incidents regarding Beckham’s behavior, the team listened to offers in exchange for their top receiver.

Just last month, however, Giants’ general manager Dave Gettleman said, “We didn’t sign Odell to trade him. OK?”

The Giants had just resigned Beckham, 26, less than a year ago to a five-year worth up to $98.5 million. The contract made OBJ the highest-paid receiver in the NFL at the time, seemingly setting his place on the Giants’ roster.

Now, the Cleveland Browns have become a threat in the league as they work toward playoff contention for the first time since 2002.

Beckham will join former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry in Cleveland and coach Adam Henry – current Browns’ receiver coach.

The receiving duo of Beckham and Landry might have just become the top one-two in the league – with second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield under center.

Meanwhile, the rebuilding New York Giants have to make smart draft decisions to prove that this trade was a success for them. Right now, it’s hard to grasp that this is a win.

 

 

Steelers Send Antonio Brown to Raiders

Jaclyn MarrLeave a comment

The Antonio Brown saga is finally done in Pittsburgh.

Once a star for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the relationship turned strained and it became clear that both the organization and Brown wanted to part ways. Trade talks began in January.

“Well, obviously things fell apart at the end of the season,” Drew Rosenhaus, Brown’s agent, said to ESPN. “Antonio wanted to play in the last game against the Bengals, it didn’t work out that way.”

“There were a lot of things said that, really it was just a divorce,” he continued. “Antonio had nine great years. Sometimes in life, whether it’s sports or business, you have a great relationship, but things happen and you have to move on.”

Brown recorded 837 receptions, 11,207 yards and 74 touchdown catches in nine years in Pittsburgh. He had six consecutive 100-catch seasons, which was an NFL record.

Now, he will bring that talent to the Oakland Raiders. According to ESPN, Brown signed a three-year deal that is worth up to $54.125 million with $30.125 million guaranteed.

He had three years and $38.9 million remaining on his Steelers’ contract and none of that money was guaranteed. With this trade, Pittsburgh is left with $21.12 million in dead money against their salary cap – reported to be the largest dead money charge for a single player in one season in NFL history.

Things are going to be interesting next season. Oakland becomes more of a threat with Brown and Derek Carr whereas Pittsburgh is left to find a new star player.