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.