Odell Beckham Jr. is in for a rude awakening
Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the best players in the NFL. Since being drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the former LSU stud has racked up a trio of Pro Bowl seasons. In total, Beckham has amassed 4,122 yards and 35 receiving touchdowns, along with a pair of second-team All-Pro honors.
On those merits, one would think that a long-term contract extension would be a no-brainer for the Giants, who are trying to make one more championship run before quarterback Eli Manning hangs up the cleats. However, those notions were complicated on Thursday when Beckham told the UNINTERRUPTED that he wants to be paid in an eye-popping fashion.
“It’s like the elephant in the room, and you don’t want to talk about it,” Beckham said in an UNINTERRUPTED video on Thursday. “But I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I’m like, ‘No, I’m going to … there’s no need to not talk about it.
“I believe that I will be hopefully not just the highest-paid receiver in the league, but the highest paid, period.”
While there are reasons to shell out record-setting money, there have also been ample questions about Beckham in the long-term scope. While a brilliant player, he has struggled to showcase maturity on a week-to-week basis. The Giants have had to calm Beckham down after he famously fought on the field with then-Carolina Panthers corner Josh Norman. He had a love affair (and originally a love-hate affair) with the kicking net on the sideline last season.
At the end of the regular season, Beckham and teammates went on a boat off the coast of Florida before a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. New York subsequently lost in blowout fashion at Lambeau Field, resulting in Beckham punching a hole through the wall of the visiting locker room.
As great as Beckham is, he has no shot of becoming the highest-paid player in football. There is a very good chance he resets the market at wide receiver, considering his young age of 24, and undeniable talent. Still, a receiver, no matter his skill set, will never get more than a good quarterback, let alone a great one.
If Beckham has another great season in 2017, the Giants will begin to negotiate. The top contract for receivers in terms of total value is Julio Jones at $71.2 million, with Dez Bryant close behind at $70 million. As for guaranteed money, Jones once more sets the pace at $35.5 million.
Still, if the Giants want to wait on Beckham’s maturity, they have the fifth-year option to exercise and then could use the franchise tag for 2019 and 2020. If they come to a long-term agreement, expect Beckham to land a contract somewhere in the neighborhood of $85 million and $45 million guaranteed, factoring in a rising salary cap.
If Beckham wants to see that money, though, he needs to round off his rough edges and help New York go deep in the playoffs.
