Dont Believe the hype. Odell Beckham Jr. will be a New York Giant and Rob Gronkowski will be a New England Patriot when the 2018 NFL season begins. You don’t let elite talents like these guys walk out of the door for anything less than a King’s ransom and most teams don’t have the chips to play that game.
For a hot second, the NFL was buzzing as two of its most flamboyant, popular and productive offensive players on two of the leagues flagship franchises were apparently on the trading block.
That second is up for tight end Gronkowski, Tom Bradys most lethal receiver because, on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the Patriots have had no talks about trading the All-Pro tight end and are expected to keep him. ESPN’s Adam Schefter echoed these same sentiments.
Ian Rapoport on Twitter
The #Rams were interested in Odell Beckham, but the combination of likely trade compensation and future extension made the price exorbitant. There were never serious negotiations. Meanwhile, the #Patriots have had no talks about trading Rob Gronkowski & expect to keep him.
The rumors concerning Gronk have turned out to be nothing more than that. The source of the rumors was the Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard, who reportedly spoke with a Belichick-friendly source about the possibility of New England moving on from the talented, party-animal.
Thats a lot of ifs and sounds more like reporters fishing for a hot scoop by throwing something up in the air and hoping it sticks or at least captivates the news cycle for a couple of hours. Same thing with OBJ. This Brown’s story was a reach and a half.
FOX Sports: NFL on Twitter
The Giants have not ruled out the possibility of trading OBJ, and Jarvis Landry has already tried to recruit OBJ to the Browns via Twitter. Should the Giants trade Odell Beckham Jr?
The possibility of OBJ being traded might be higher than that of Gronk, but it’s unlikely that it will happen. When the Rams reportedly passed on pursuing OBJ, Giants fans made a collective sigh of relief.
However, ESPNs Adam Schefter and the media mill is still fueling rumors that OBJ could be traded and its just a matter of time before the Giants trade the controversial but supremely talented wide receiver.
On the Ross Tucker Football Podcast, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he believes the possibility of moving Beckham is “absolutely real…very real.” He also said it’s his guess a trade will happen.
Beckham, 25, is entering the final year of his contract. There have been conflicting reports from various sources about whether or not the Giants are shopping Beckham. Originally Giants owner John Mara said they weren’t, then he said Beckham wasnt untouchable and then reports surfaced that it would take two first-rounders to acquire Beckham in a trade.
The Rams once considered serious contenders in the Odell Beckham sweepstakes, traded for Patriots receiver Brandin Cooks which all but eliminated the possibility of them making a run at Beckham.
Adam Schefter on Twitter
Rams acquiring Brandin Cooks means LA is out on Odell Beckham Jr., and the Giants will need another trade partner to make a deal for the mercurial WR.
Right now, both sides are involved in a quiet power play.Beckham Jr. has already threatened to hold out if a contract of his liking is not solidified before the season begins. The Giants are hoping that Beckhams list of baggage; from on-field fights to sideline outbursts to his bizarre relationship with a kicking net to a pre-playoff boat trip to a suspicious video, will give them some leverage in contract negotiations.
WFAN Sports Radio on Twitter
Odell Beckham Jr. is reportedly vowing to hold out until he receives a new contract. https://t.co/tc6wGFpDqK #NYGiants #NFL
We dont know what is going on behind the scenes between Beckham Jr.s agent and the Giants. We’re relying on reports which are usually based on third-party sources and doesnt paint us a clear picture of the mood between OBJ and the Giants right now which would give us some insight into how serious the Giants are about actually trading the Pro Bowl burner.
Schefter made it clear it’s his guess, not a report, that a trade will get done. Everybody’s guessing at this point. My guess is that if OBJ makes it past the NFL Draft, he will be a Giant when the season begins. Eventually, he is going to get his money.
