Latest On Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr.‘s received clearance to work out with the Giants, and the superstar wide receiver has expanded his drill repertoire since OTAs. But Beckham still has a bit of progress to make before being full-go.
The fifth-year wideout is running routes after bypassing that portion of practices at OTAs, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Although Pat Shurmur said Beckham has been cleared for minicamp work, New York’s top weapon is not participating in team drills.
Upon clearing Beckham, the Giants hoped he would be able to participate in some team work this week, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets, but he’s being held out of such activity. Anderson reports Beckham’s preference is to abstain from team reps this week and continue his progression, with the obvious goal to return to 11-on-11 work come training camp. Beckham has reported to the Giants, taking the opposite route of 2014 first-rounders Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack, but the ankle injury that ended his 2017 season will still limit him.
The Giants and Beckham are on the same page regarding this process, Kimberly Jones of NFL.com tweets, adding this course of action has been the plan since April.
“Cleared to practice. Cleared to practice. Let’s not worry about it,” Shurmur said. “He’s cleared to practice, and that’s what he was doing. … He’s out there practicing. If you all wanna count the reps, go ahead. But he was out there practicing. He’s cleared to practice. … I don’t necessarily think it helps anybody to play the word game here.”
Beckham remains in pursuit of a likely landmark extension, which is likely affecting the measured progression here. He’s one of several 2014 draftees in that boat presently.
NFC East Notes: Eagles, Giants, OBJ, Cowboys
The emergence of cornerback De’Vante Bausby could create an interesting scenario for the Eagles, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com writes. Last week, Bausby was spotted running with the first-team defense as the nickel cornerback over Sidney Jones. Jones’ spot on the roster is secure, but Bausby’s play could force the Eagles to either carry six cornerbacks or trade one of the CBs ahead of him on the depth chart.
Speculatively, Shorr-Parks wonders if Ronald Darby could be displaced. The Eagles wouldn’t cut him outright, but he would make some sense as a trade candidate since he is entering his contract year.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- The Cowboys are nearing an extension with guard Zack Martin, and that could have major consequences for the rest of the roster. Getting a Martin deal done would give the Cowboys some clarity on whether they have enough cap room to work out a trade (and subsequent extension) for Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram tweets. Thomas plans to hold out from the Seahawks’ minicamp, but there has been no recent movement on trade talks between Seattle and Dallas. In theory, a new deal for Martin could change that.
- Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. reported to the Giants‘ facility for his physical on Monday, a source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). That’s a sign that OBJ’s “plans” to attend minicamp on Tuesday will come to fruition. It remains to be seen if and when the Giants will reach a new multi-year accord with the dynamic offensive star.
OBJ Plans To Attend Giants Minicamp
Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. plans to attend the team’s minicamp, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The mandatory minicamp gets underway on Tuesday. 
Beckham participated in a portion of the Giants’ voluntary OTAs earlier this year, but his plans for mandatory minicamp have been unclear. OBJ is pushing for a new contract extension, and some believed that he would skip minicamp and absorb a significant fine in order to send a message to the Giants. Of course, OBJ’s plans could always change and attendance doesn’t necessarily equal participation. The wide receiver still needs to gain medical clearance on the broken ankle he suffered in 2017.
For now, Beckham is slated to make $8.45MM this season. He’s pushing for a multi-year contract that would likely eclipse the deal signed by Bucs star Mike Evans, which would give him upwards of $82.5MM in total. OBJ’s camp will likely ask for a deal in excess of $90MM and could even try for something in the $100MM range, with 40% of the deal fully guaranteed.
In each of his first three seasons, Beckham had more than 90 catches, 1,300 yards, and ten touchdowns. Last year, Beckham’s injury shut him down after just four contests.
NFC Notes: Beckham, Rams, Pierre-Paul
Lots has been written about Giants All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and his contract. Beckham has stayed away from the team this offseason as he angles for a longterm deal. He’s also still rehabbing from a devastating ankle injury that cost him most of the 2017 season, but expects to be fully cleared soon.
The ankle may have something to do with why the Giants have been slow to engage Beckham in extension talks, writes Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. Vacchiano thinks the Giants want Beckham to prove he’s fully healthy and capable of being the same explosive player he was before the injury before they commit to him longterm, writing in regards to his ankle “yes, that is one of the reasons contract negotiations haven’t really gotten going.”
Vacchiano thinks it “would be crazy to give Beckham the kind of money he wants – perhaps $20 million per year, perhaps as much as $60 million guaranteed and $100 million total – without being absolutely sure he’s fully healthy and the same player.” It will be interesting to see if the Giants do indeed play hardball with Beckham, and Beckham’s situation will surely be one of the biggest stories in the league this summer.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Jason Pierre-Paul didn’t show up for a single OTA practice, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter said it wasn’t a huge deal that Pierre-Paul didn’t show up, but it’s certainly not ideal for a team that traded two draft picks to acquire the defensive end. Laine did report that Pierre-Paul is expected to be with the team for their mandatory minicamp.
- The Rams are the only remaining defendant in Reggie Bush‘s lawsuit after the city of St. Louis was dismissed from the case, according to Joel Currier of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Bush is claiming the Rams are responsible for slippery concrete that caused him to suffer a season-ending knee injury when he was with the 49ers.
- In case you missed it, it appears that David Johnson and the Cardinals may soon iron out an extension for the star running back.
OBJ No-Shows Giants OTAs
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. no-showed the Giants’ practices on Monday, as Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com writes. That’s potentially a bad sign for the team as the club’s mandatory three-day minicamp kicks off next week. 
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While OTAs are voluntary, abstaining from mandatory minicamp would mean that OBJ would be on the hook for significant fines. A $70K fine should be enough to motivate Beckham to show, but that’s also relative chump change when considering the type of contract he’s trying to elicit from the Giants.
Beckham, who is slated to make $8.45MM this season, is pushing for a multi-year contract that would likely reset the market for wide receivers. It’s safe to say that deal would be worth roughly $90MM and there has been talk of a mega deal that could approach $100MM. Earlier this year, Bucs standout Mike Evans inked a $82.5MM deal ($38.3MM in full guarantees) with the Bucs, which sets a very favorable comp for OBJ.
Beckham has been working out in the Los Angeles area this offseason, but he’s scheduled to return to New Jersey on June 16 and 17 for a youth football camp. The Giants’ mandatory camp will take place from June 12-14.
Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. To Attend OTAs
The Giants and Odell Beckham Jr. still have some work to do when it comes to his contractual situation, but the impending talks won’t keep him from the practice field. OBJ will be in attendance for the Giants’ offseason team activities on Monday, a source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie deal and earlier this year it was reported that he could consider a holdout if he did not get the pricey contract extension he was after. The big money deal has yet to arrive, but OBJ will arrive for Phase 3.
The news of OBJ’s participation in OTAs is not totally unexpected since he already took part in individual drills this offseason. Still, it’s a positive sign for Beckham’s mindset, even as the Giants say they won’t rush their way into a new deal.
“I wouldn’t say a sense of urgency,” Giants co-owner John Mara said recently. “The contract will get done when it’s supposed to get done. I think that’s the Dave Gettleman line. I’m gonna adopt that I think, all spring, all summer, as long as it takes.”
Beckham is set to earn earn $8.5MM in 2018, per the terms of his fifth-year option. Before the 2017 season, it was said that he was seeking a deal in excess of $100MM. That may be a lofty goal, but a $90MM pact certainly seems within reach after Mike Evans secured a new $82.5MM deal from the Bucs earlier this year.
Last year, Beckham was one of several jinxed Giants receivers to succumb to the injury bug. This year, the WR group has received a face lift following the release of Brandon Marshall and addition of former Broncos receiver Cody Latimer. Sterling Shepard, who had 59 catches for 731 yards and two scores in eleven games last year, will start alongside Beckham.
NFC East Notes: Giants, Beckham Jr., Eagles
The Giants remain hopeful that they will hammer out a new contract with Odell Beckham Jr., but co-owner John Mara says he won’t rush things.
“I wouldn’t say a sense of urgency,” Mara said (via Brian Costello of the New York Post). “The contract will get done when it’s supposed to get done. I think that’s the Dave Gettleman line. I’m gonna adopt that I think, all spring, all summer, as long as it takes.”
Beckham has one more year to go on his rookie deal at a value of $8.5MM. After that, the Giants can realistically control Beckham via the franchise tag through 2020. Still, OBJ has been vocal about his desire for a new deal and it’s not a given that he’ll play ball if he’s franchised next year.
In his first three seasons, Beckham had more than 90 catches, 1,300 yards, and ten touchdowns. Last year, a broken ankle shut him down in October.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- The Eagles could use a boost in run defense after the departure of Beau Allen and Courtney Upshaw could help in that area, as Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com writes. In 2015, Upshaw ranked eighth in run defense grade amongst 3-4 outside linebackers, per Pro Football Focus. Upshaw, who didn’t see a lot of playing time for the Falcons last year, auditioned for the Eagles this week. With the ability to play multiple positions in the front seven, he could be an intriguing add for Philly. Meanwhile, the Eagles also have some interest in defensive tackle Terrell McClain and it’s not clear whether both players could be a fit.
- Jon Machota of the Dallas News believes the Cowboys will add a veteran safety between now and the start of the regular season. The Cowboys have been connected to Seahawks star Earl Thomas this offseason, but so far, nothing has happened on that front. Meanwhile, as a part of his admittedly early roster projection, he classifies Tavon Austin as a running back. Austin could still factor into the passing game, but Machota believes he’ll run the ball as much as he catches it.
Odell Beckham Jr. Returns To Practice
The Giants continue to communicate Odell Beckham Jr. won’t be traded this year, and it’s still possible they’re going to run into an impasse with their superstar wide receiver as he aims for a landscape-changing extension. But on Thursday, Beckham showed he could be ready to participate extensively in Big Blue’s offseason program.
Beckham returned to practice for the first time since his season-ending ankle injury, partaking in individual drills at the Giants’ voluntary minicamp on Thursday, Danny Abriano of SNY.tv reports.
The 25-year-old standout’s been present for each day of this three-day minicamp, which concludes today, continuing to get some early work in as Pat Shurmur installs his new system. Beckham had not practiced since early October of last year, when his season was cut short in Week 4 when he fractured his ankle against the Chargers.
While it’s possible a holdout takes place later this year, Beckham’s showing the Giants he’s on track to be full-go by the time the season begins.
Giants HC: OBJ To Remain With Team
Despite trade chatter throughout the offseason, Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t going anywhere, according to Pat Shurmur. He will “absolutely” be a part of the team in 2018, the Giants head coach says (Twitter link via Kim Jones of NFL.com). Shurmur added that the has been in frequent contact with the wide receiver. 
Shurmur’s comments jibe with the latest we’ve heard on OBJ. Teams no longer believe that the Giants are looking to move the superstar receiver before or during the draft, despite concerns from the club about his off-the-field decisions. It appears the Giants are willing to move forward with Beckham Jr., though they’ll have to address his contract situation as he enters his walk year.
Beckham is reportedly pushing for a $100MM+ contract and the Giants will likely have to break the $90MM barrier to lock him up for the long term. However, the Giants can still control Beckham through the 2020 season via consecutive franchise tags. In theory, the Giants could even control OBJ through 2021 with three straight franchise tags, though the cost of a third tag would likely be prohibitive.
Beckham followed through on his plan to report to the Giants for offseason activities, which is perhaps a productive first step towards getting the contract he’s after. The new regime in New York will be watching Beckham closely as they consider his future with the club beyond 2018.
Giants Unlikely To Trade Odell Beckham Jr.
It sounds like Odell Beckham Jr. will be staying put. Teams around the league no longer believe the Giants are going to be trading the wide receiver either before or during the NFL draft, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Earlier this offseason, teams believed there was a real chance the Giants would trade the young superstar.
Beckham reported to the G-Men recently for voluntary activities and the team now believes that he is fully on board with the new regime, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets. OBJ’s ankle has also progressed well, so he should be on track for another monster season in 2018.
Meanwhile, not everyone is sold that Beckham will be staying in New York. The Giants could still be persuaded to move OBJ, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY hears, though their asking price could be a barrier to a deal. The Rams are no longer in the mix for OBJ after acquiring Brandin Cooks from the Patriots, but he speculates that a team such as the 49ers could put together a strong offer. Other teams will be wary of Beckham’s desire for a new $100MM+ contract, but the Niners have the cap room to accommodate any such deal and also possess the draft capital to make an enticing offer to the Giants.
The Patriots, in theory, also have the firepower to put together a package for Beckham, but they are not interested in such a move.