This week, rumors of an Odell Beckham Jr. trade with the Vikings nearly broke the internet. Today, Browns Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta went on the record to pour cold water on those rumblings. 
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“In short, I will just say it was completely false,” DePodesta told reporters (Twitter link via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com). “It’s a frustrating a little bit. I think it is pretty clear we are trying to build at this point…The idea that we would take away from that core at this moment just does not make a whole lot of sense and is not really something that we are exploring at all.”
Of course, OBJ is no stranger to the pages of Pro Football Rumors. The mercurial wide receiver has been viewed as a potential trade candidate for some time. In December, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that the former first-round pick wanted out of Cleveland. And, according to Glazer, he went so far as to tell opposing players, “come get me.” Soon after, Beckham did his best to quell the speculation:
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here,” OBJ said. “We’ll figure this thing out. It’s just too special to leave…We’re going to be here. We’re going to do it again. And we’re going to be what we felt like we should’ve been.”
Still, the rumor mill continued to churn. The 49ers, who were in talks with the Giants before Beckham was traded to the Browns, were thought to be a possible destination for him just last month. But, despite all of the friction, the new regime led by Andrew Berry insisted that OBJ was still in the plans.
Beckham finished 2019 with his worst career full-season stat line: 74 receptions, 1,035 yards, and four touchdowns. Still, he remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
With the exception of the Giants, just about every NFL team would welcome OBJ into the lineup. The Vikings, however, just moved on from wide receiver drama by trading Stefon Diggs to the Bills. After that deal, giving up valuable draft picks for Beckham would make little sense.
it’s the bears, not Vikings I heard
I’ve never once heard the Bears in consideration. This is referring to the recent NY radio host claiming he had info that Vikings specifically were trading for OBJ.
The Bears have no cap space
Bears have over 11 million as of today
OBJ currently is under contract at slightly over $14 million a year.
Robinson is going to get an extension. And there are a few others that if their deals are reworked, the Bears would be sitting around $20 Million. It’s completely possible.
Don’t forget that the team needs to put away 7 to 10 million away for their draft picks.
Lol even if the bears traded for him, they stink either way bro.
LOL. Bears don’t have enough cap space or draft capital. Dream on.
Why would the Vikings trade away a head case wide receiver only to trade for another head case wide receiver when the draft is deep in wide receivers??
Isn’t that redundant? A head case and wide receiver?
F××K Obj.
Agree
It’s the Vikings. OBJ and 6th next year for a 2 and a 5 this year from Minnesota. Draft day trade.
Vikings don’t have the cap space for the trade.
He needs to be indoors with his speed! If he gets his together…. Minnesota would be perfect fit with Adam Thielen.
Dark Horse: Raiders
Raiders trading for one of the top wideouts. This WR is a known diva and head case and wants out of current situation but has a ton of talent. I mean what could go wrong?
Wait I’ve seen this one before.
Maybe give him a pay raise too.
Trade him to Philly for Alshon and the #1 pick
#21 *
Alston Jeffery, a second round pick and a 6th next year for OBJ
I would hope like hell the Vikings are not that stupid as to bring that clown in. Deep draft of wr’s to try without putting up with his drama , not to mention his salary !
I like OBJ but when you ship Diggs out for being too much drama, the OBJ won’t work.
Tyrell Williams and a 2nd from the Raiders for OBJ
Browns get a replacement WR and a good pick, Raiders get a super star WR. With the #12 pick in the draft they can get a CB (CJ Henderson) and then grab a WR with their second first round pick #19, like Henry Ruggs, Justin Jefferson or Tee Higgins
Ruggs won’t be on the board at 19 and we don’t have a second, but overall I quite like the idea of the trade.
Second first round pick is what I wrote. They have pick 12 and 19.
Plus Ruggs might be on the board, think it’ll come down to if the Niners take a WR or Javon Kinlaw at DT and if the Dolphins take a WR at 18. Either way if they don’t get Ruggs, Justin Jefferson or Tee Higgins would still be good picks for a WR.
If Raiders end up with OBJ and either Jefferson/Higgins or Ruggs they will be very solid at WR
Sorry I get what you mean now, don’t have a second as in to trade to the browns. Maybe a 2021 second and a 2020 4th.
Mortgage a bit of your future of success now
Ruggs stinks too me! I saw this trash play on the field in college
Not a huge fan of Ruggs either I like Jeudy and Jefferson the most
I’d rather just take Lamb at #12. I’m not as worried about spending a high pick on a CB because we’ve seen that movie before, and the ending always sucks.
I’ve noticed rumors that the Jets are intrigued by Lamb too, though. If Lamb were to be gone by 12, I don’t completely hate your idea.
DePodesta literally said in the article that the Browns aren’t looking to trade OBJ, and the comments are filled with trade proposals for him. Duh.
I get that you can’t always believe what execs say, but he didn’t have any reason to comment on the rumor.
i thought the browns hate for anything to be leaked during trade talks and they tend to shut down once something gets out
The Giants literally said the exact same thing before trading him less than two weeks later. You cannot trust what NFL execs say publicly.
He has one very important reason to comment on the rumors: it involves OBJ. If the Browns are in talks on him, and they fall through, him knowing is the LAST thing you want.
I trust nothing out of an NFL execs mouth.
Translated means the deal fell apart but we’re still looking to trade him.
Obj is another problem for dysfunctional organization like the browns! They need less problems and more results in the win column
Five of the Browns losses last season came against playoff teams and they did defeat the team with the best overall record. They still have a long way to go but they are no longer the most dysfunctional organization.
I could see OBJ welcoming this trade. He’s played on a winning team and made the playoffs only once in six years, while the Vikes’ last losing record was six years ago and they’ve gone to the playoffs three times in the five years since. And it would be the first well-run organization he’s worked for since LSU.
So the Vikings are ‘a well run organization” says you!
Can you enlighten all of us as to your criteria for a “well run organization”?
Any others that you can share with the rest of us…says you?
Well run organization? What?
Three playoff appearances and not a single losing record in the last five years.
The only teams with more playoff appearances over the last five years are the Patriots and Chiefs at five each, and the Texans and Seahawks with four. The only other teams with three playoff appearances in the last five years are the Steelers, Eagles, Packers and Saints.
The Eagles, Packers and Saints have two losing seasons in the last five years, and the Texans a 4-12 season. Meanwhile, the Vikings have a better playoff record than the Texans and the same playoff record as the Saints.
I’d say this record ranks the Vikings as one of the 10 best franchises in the league over the last five years, arguably sixth or seventh best behind only the Pats, Chiefs, Seahawks, Eagles and Steelers and/or Packers, but that’s open to debate.
Queens need a QB first before trading for a WR. This would make zero sense.