The offseason program for the New York Giants begins on Monday. One player who is unlikely to be in attendance is wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported in March that Beckham would not set foot on a football field for any NFL team without a new contract.
"He's not on the (trade) block," said Giants co-owner John Mara last month. Of course, that didn't necessarily mean the Giants would not pick up the phone if an interested team came calling.
"Is that going to stop clubs from possibly calling us? No," he continued. "But he's not on the block. We're not shopping him around."
NFL teams did inquire about Beckham, and the Giants were willing to listen. What will it take for them to consider shipping him elsewhere? They reportedly need to be wowed by an offer.
The Los Angeles Rams were interested -- until they weren't. What changed their mind? The team that is not shopping Beckham reportedly wanted two first-round picks in exchange for the Pro Bowl receiver. The cost was too high for the Rams who abandoned their pursuit in favor of a deal with the New England Patriots to acquire receiver Brandin Cooks. And they didn't have to give up two first-round picks in the process.
The cost of multiple high draft picks for a receiver with a lot of baggage, coming off of a fractured left ankle, and won't step on the field until he receives upwards of a $100 million contract, is too high for smart NFL teams, which makes one believe New York isn't serious about dealing Beckham. If the Giants truly want to offload him, their unrealistic asking price will have to come down. When the Rams exited the picture (part of the deal for Cooks involved shipping their first-round pick to New England), much of New York's leverage vanished.
Giants price tag for Beckham was too steep for the Rams. And Rams were most intent team. Perhaps 49ers step up now
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 3, 2018
The 49ers don't strike anyone as a team willing to give into the unreasonable demands of the Giants. Michael Silver of NFL Network reported on Saturday that an NFC team (probably not named the Rams) expressed interest in Beckham, but not at the cost of two first-rounders, and it is unlikely any team entertains the notion of surrendering that much for a non-quarterback. General manager John Lynch and company don't seem to be the type to do so. After all, they received a franchise quarterback for significantly less.
I'm told by one high-ranking executive of an NFC team that the Giants asked for two first-round picks for Odell Beckham. The team in question passed. @AroundTheNFL @nflnetwork
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 7, 2018
The 49ers' link to the Beckham rumors wasn't just because they have the draft picks, salary cap space, and the need for a number one receiving target for new franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that the team has (or had) "real interest" in him.
"I continue to hear San Francisco is monitoring this thing closely, has real interest," wrote La Canfora on March 30, "and this could shape up as a very interesting NFC West arms race."
That was before the Rams exited the picture.
Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reported on Saturday that, according to a highly placed team source, the Giants are "highly unlikely" to trade the disgruntled receiver. Right now, Vacchiano believes the Giants would need to be "blown away" by an offer they can't refuse.
Of course, the longer the rift between Beckham and the Giants remains, that could change.