Could Odell Beckham Jr. be on the move again?
That’s the intriguing rumor as the Minnesota Vikings are in trade discussions with the Cleveland Browns over the star wide receiver, according to WFAN’s Marc Maulsis. Beckham, 27, was traded last year from the New York Giants to the Browns, but the three-time Pro Bowler had a rocky first season in Cleveland.
Maulsis said the two sides have discussed trading Beckham in exchange for a second-round and a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft.
So, as I reported this morning on @MandMWFAN, Source has told me that the Browns and Vikings are in discussions on a trade that would send @obj to the Vikings for a 2nd and 5th round pick next year. Trade is not done, but the deal is being discussed.
— Moose™ (@MarcMalusis) April 15, 2020
Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, however, said the rumor wasn’t true.
Received a one-word answer from a source close to the #Vikings about the report they’re talking to the #Browns about trading for Odell Beckham Jr. for a 2nd & 5th next year: “False”
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 15, 2020
On the surface, it seems unlikely the Vikings would trade for Beckham. Minnesota faces salary cap problems and Beckham still has four years left on the five-year, $90 million extension he signed in 2018. In addition, the Vikings traded Stefon Diggs earlier this offseason after the receiver made it known he was unhappy — would they want to bring in Beckham, a star wideout who has dealt with drama throughout his NFL tenure?
But the Vikings’ championship window could be closing and acquiring Beckham could increase the team’s playoff chances. The Vikings are coming off a season in which they upset the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card, but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the following round.
It is also not publicly known if the Browns are actively trying to move Beckham. Despite questions of whether the team was using him enough last year, Beckham still caught 74 passes for 1,035 yards.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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