On Thursday, Browns Chiefs Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta was asked about the recent report that they’ve discussed a potential trade involving WR Odell Beckham Jr with the Vikings.
“It was completely false. It’s frustrating obviously. It’s pretty clear what we’re trying to build,” DePodesta said, via Daryl Ruiter. “The idea we’d take away from that core doesn’t make sense and is not something we’re exploring.“
DePodesta added that he has no reason to believe Beckham Jr doesn’t want to be in Cleveland.
“I have no reason to believe he doesn’t want to be here. He’s been very good this offseason, engaged with Kevin Stefanski. We’re excited to have him,” DePodesta said, per Scott Petrak.
Earlier in the day, Charles Robinson has been told “unequivocally” that the Vikings haven’t had any trade discussions with the Browns for Beckham Jr and they haven’t made any calls or discussed potential trade compensation.
Robinson adds that the Browns do not have Beckhan Jr on the trade block.
The report from Wednesday said that the Browns and Vikings are in discussions on a trade that would send Beckham Jr to the Vikings for a second and fifth-round pick in 2021.
Beckham’s first year in Cleveland did not go as many assumed, but the Browns have responded by making sweeping changes to the organization in an attempt to get the team back on track.
Beckham underwent surgery this offseason to repair a core muscle injury he battled throughout 2019. He dealt with the injury since training camp, but did not miss a game in 2019.
Beckham, 27, was taken with the No. 12 overall pick by the Giants back in 2014. He was set to make a base salary of $8,459,000 for the 2018 season when he agreed to a new five-year extension worth up to $95 million and includes $65 million in total guarantees.
The Giants traded Beckham to the Browns this offseason for the No. 17 overall pick, their second third-round pick and S Jabrill Peppers.
Beckham stands to make base salaries of $16.75 million and $14 million over the next two years.
In 2019, Beckham appeared in 16 games for the Browns and caught 74 passes for 1,035 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
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