Source: Beckham agrees to five-year deal with Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. » Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants is now the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press Monday the team agreed to a fiveyear contract extension with the

Bowler.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Giants have not announced the deal, which comes less than two weeks before the season opener against Jacksonville.

While terms were not disclosed, the deal with the 25-year-old, 2014 firstrounder is worth about $95 three-time Pro million with $65 guaranteed.

Beckham’s $19 million average salary would top the $17 million earned by Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His $95 million deal also tops the $82.5 million deal receiver Mike Evans has with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Beckham, who missed most of last season with million a broken left ankle, was scheduled to make $8.4 million in the final year of his rookie contract.

In his first four seasons, Beckham has caught 313 passes for 4,424 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Beckham has not played in any of the Giants’ three preseason games as new coach Pat Shurmur has taken a very cautious approach with the catalyst to his offense coming off his first major professional injury.

It is unlikely that he will play in the preseason finale Thursday against the New England Patriots so his first game action since being hurt Oct. 8 will be against the Jaguars at home Sept. 9.

A lot has been written about Beckham’s contract situation since the end of last season.

There were reports the Giants were involved in trade talks with the Rams and many wondered whether co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch wanted to spend a lot of money on a player who also created some disturbing news off the field.