Troubled Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. might be on his way out of town ... eventually.
A day after a story broke in the New York Post that Giants owner John Mara has grown "tired" of having to answer questions about Beckham's antics, and was mum on the idea of committing to Beckham longterm, a potential war between the Giants and the wide receiver is brewing in the background.
Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Beckham will hold out if he does not receive a contract extension from the "Giants or any team."
When asked about the report, the Daily News said Mara and co-owner Steve Tisch would not answer any questions regarding a potential hold out or contract negotiations, obviously nobody wants to do these things through the media.
However, Giants Wire reports that Tisch told reporters that any speculation on Beckham's future is just that ... speculation. Adding that the Giants and Beckham are opening up talks on a long term contract.
Depending on who you want to believe, the fact is that Beckham's days in New York might be numbered. While the Giants are willing to talk contract with him, there is rampant talk that a trade could be in the works. The Daily News sites sources that the Los Angeles Rams have inquired interest in Beckham. The Giants would want at least a first round pick in return for Beckham. Whether the Rams willing to part with the 23rd pick in the draft for the troubled star is anyone's guess at this point.
In all honesty there are a lot of teams that would be willing to take the risk on Beckham. Distractions aside, he is one of the most talented receivers in the sport, averaging 14.1 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field with acrobatic skill is what put him in the spotlight to begin with.
Yet, as we all know, there has been a dark side to Beckham. The on-field fight he had with Josh Norman a few years ago rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
Then at the end of the 2016 season, Beckham decided to take the entire Giants receiving corps down to Miami for a night of boating and fun -- a moment that was captured in an infamous photo with shirtless receivers on Justin Bieber's boat.
The "Miami-gate" incident was quickly followed up days later by a horrible postseason performance by Beckham, in which he had a number of critical drops that helped cost the Giants the game in Green Bay. The result that day: Packers 38, Giants 13, and one gigantic hole in the wall of the visiting locker room left by Beckham's fist.
Last season, Beckham's antics hurt his team and Ben McAdoo's credibility when he decided to lift his leg like a urinating dog after scoring a touchdown in Philadelphia. McAdoo didn't reprimand Beckham, who was seen screaming at Eagle fans shortly after the incident. The Giants lost that game on a 61-yard field goal.
Now, there are two separate controversies surrounding the Giants star. The first is a video that was released two weeks ago the features Beckham in bed with French model Laura Cuenca where they spent a night together boozing and drugging it up at the Four Seasons George V Hotel.
The second controversy is related to Beckham being named in a $15 million lawsuit filed by a man named Ishmael Temple who claims that he was beaten up in Beckham's home. While Beckham wasn't involved directly, Temple says that Beckham didn't tell anyone to stop. Beckham's lawyer has denied the accusations.
It's a laundry list of issues, and if the Giants are smart they should pursue a trade and get Beckham out of town. As talented as he is, and Beckham is a game-changing receiver; he still thinks he is bigger than the team. The Giants have coddled Beckham every step of the way throughout his career and all he has done is reward the Giants with one bad story after another. And to top it off the team hasn't won anything since he has been here.
If a team like the Rams, who are also reportedly interested in bad-boy free agent defensive lineman Ndamukong Shuh, is serious about trading for Beckham, the Giants should fleece them. The Giants should get the Rams first round pick this year, next year and maybe even a couple of second rounders to boot. Heck, GM David Gettleman should do his best Kevin Costner impression and ask for David "G-D" Putney because (he) feels like it.
The time has come for the Giants to split ties with Beckham. The franchise has a new coach, a new GM, and eventually, they will have a new quarterback as well. The tides are moving in a new direction for Big Blue and they shouldn't let a career saboteur like Beckham ruin it.
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