According to ESPN, Odell Beckham Jr. is planning on showing up for OTAs even though the Giants have not backed up the Brinks truck yet:
I'm told #Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) will attend voluntary OTA's, per source. The #Giants begin Phase 3 of the offseason conditioning program Monday, May 21st. Beckham will show, even as the star receiver & the team have yet to come to terms on a contract extension.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) May 18, 2018
Despite coming off a season-ending ankle injury, Odell is looking to secure a long-term deal to make him the highest paid WR of all-time.
Odell is top three in each and every major statistical category for WRs since he entered the league, so Odell is not out of line in his contractual aspirations. However, the Giants are acting like they have never committed long-term to anyone or anything besides Eli.
Meanwhile, Odell is over here showing up at every voluntary workout and off-season program like he has more trust issues than Drake in Marvin’s Room.
The G-men have already picked up Odell’s fifth-year option for $8.4 million, and Giants Co-owner John Mara keeps saying that he wants to ink a long-term deal with Beckham.
Well John Mara, “saying” is not “doing.”
Right now, in the NFL, there’s Antonio Brown, there’s Odell Beckham, and then there’s other receivers below them, so OBJ absolutely has some leverage and bargaining here.
Throughout the NFL’s history, far too many players have ended their hold-outs too early because they were impatient, accepted the franchise-tag, left money on the table, and injured themselves shortly after signing that tag. Thus, they never get to sign that long-term deal that they rightfully deserved.
Like Odell’s ankles, NFL contracts are not guaranteed. Plus, Odell is in an unique position here because, unlike most players, Odell brings in more cash off the field than he does on the field.
So Odell, if you’re listening, and you’re ready to shift the NFL’s culture, quit being the Giants’ side chick, and force those rich owner to claim you.
As mentioned, it’s just Odell and Antonio Brown at the top; and, the Giants showed their hand already when they ended up with the Second overall pick after Odell missed last season.
In sum, the Giants have to give Odell whatever the Hell Odell wants, and if they don’t, please believe somebody else will.