The Cleveland Browns, one of the most talked-about NFL franchises the last two seasons, have been underwhelming at times. With a current record of 6-7, the team is hanging on the brink of playoff elimination.
The lack of success has created a sense of discourse in the Browns locker room, as it was recently reported that the Browns medical staff did not properly treat Odell Beckham Jr for a sports hernia injury. As a result, Beckham has been forced to play through the pain and will undergo surgery in the upcoming offseason.
To further complicate matters, rumors have leaked that their star wide receiver has gone up to opposing players and coaches prior to games in October and informally requested a way out of Cleveland.
Beckham Jr, who is under contract through the 2023 season, is unlikely to be moved in the near future. However, which teams could give the 27-year old a change of scenery? Here are the latest rumors:
The San Francisco 49ers attempted to execute a trade for Beckham Jr prior to his transition to the Browns. In fact, Beckham Jr expressed interest in the 49ers or the Los Angeles Rams if he were to be traded by the Giants.
This may be a difficult trade to work out. The 49ers have just over $16M in cap space, and Beckham Jr requires $14.25M in each of the next four seasons. In addition, Cleveland will need an offer that will blow them away for a superstar asset such as Beckham Jr. Through recent transactions, San Francisco is now without a second, third, and fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots would be an interesting suitor for the star receiver. According to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, Beckham Jr had been talking with players during the month of October about requesting a trade out of Cleveland. It should be noted that the Cleveland Browns played against the New England Patriots on October 27th.
The Patriots currently contain the 12th-highest cap space in the NFL, and have been in desparate need of wide receiver help. The front office has not been shy of adding controversial players at the wide receiver position either, as Robert Kraft made investments on Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown before making an eventual trade with the Atlanta Falcons for Mohamed Sanu.
Lastly, the Dallas Cowboys have been thrown in the rumor mill regarding the status of Beckham Jr in the upcoming offseason. According to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, Beckham Jr could have a path to the Cowboys in 2020. Robinson stated the following:
“He has an opinionated circle of friends and family that surrounds him. Some still speak in hopeful tones about him potentially ending up with the Dallas Cowboys, which would put him in close proximity to his parents”.
The Cowboys have a lot to address in the upcoming offseason. Pending their postseason status, they may be without head coach Jason Garrett. In addition, centerpiece players such as Dak Prescott and Byron Jones are owed new contracts.
This becomes an interesting topic, as wide receiver Amari Cooper is expected to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Although Cooper has expressed his interest to return to the Cowboys, it may be difficult for owner Jerry Jones to pass up on a player of Beckham Jr’s caliber.
Photo Credit: Dawgs by Nature
