New York Giants’ wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is about to get paid. Beckham has been demanding a new contract for some time now, and Giants’ finally decided are ready to give him one. The team’s co-owner John Mara said on Thursday that they will open talks with the 25-year-old Pro Bowler “sooner rather than later.”
“I anticipate that we’ll be speaking with his agents sooner rather than later,” – said Mara. “I’m not going to give you an exact timetable on that or give daily or weekly updates on that. But I think those will start pretty soon, and hopefully, we will come to an agreement.”
Odell Beckham Jr. is currently entering the fifth year of his rookie deal, which will pay him $8.5 million in 2018. Considering that this is well below the market value for a WR of Beckham’s caliber, he started publicly expressing a desire to get a new deal. Giants’ didn’t show major interest in giving him a new deal right away, but Beckham still decided to attend team’s voluntary activities and report for training camp.
This decision ended up having a positive effect.
“It certainly had an effect on our desire to start negotiating,” – Mara added. “[Beckham’s] had the right attitude all along and we expect him to have a great season.”
Odell Beckham Jr. was the 12th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He ended up having 91 catches in for 1,305 yards in his rookie season while setting several rookie records and being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He continued with great showings in the following seasons, and was named two times Second-team All-Pro and earned three Pro Bowl selections since entering the league.
The 2017 season, however, was less successful for Beckham, considering the fact he struggled with ankle injuries. He managed to play four games and had 25 catches for 302 yards.
