G-Men, OBJ agree to record contract extension
Odell Beckham Jr. is, at last, a very rich man.
The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and the Giants put an end to the ongoing contract saga by agreeing Monday afternoon to a five-year, $95 million deal that will keep Beckham with Big Blue through the 2023 season, as first reported by ESPN and the NFL Network.
The terms reportedly include $65 million guaranteed. That figure, along with the $19 million average salary, are the highestever for a non-quarterback offensive player, according to Over The Cap. The Steelers’ Antonio Brown was previously the highestpaid receiver at $17 million annually.
According to ESPN, the contract is structured such that the Giants will actually save $3 million against the cap this season because the $20 million signing bonus is spread out over five years.
The cap hit is now $5.459 million instead of $8.459 million in what is the fifthyear option of Beckham’s rookie contract. The extension kicks in next season.
That extra short-term benefit is key as the Giants made clear through their offseason actions that the franchise remains in a winnow mode coming off a 3-13 season. They committed to 37-year-old Eli Manning as the starting quarterback, drafted running back Saquon Barkley No. 2 overall and added three new offensive linemen via free agency and the draft.
Those decisions created even more leverage for Beckham, who sought a contract extension for more than a year. The 2016 season marked his third straight compiling at least 90 catches, 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns — the only receiver to do so to begin a career.
Negotiations stalled last August when Beckham injured his ankle in a preseason game against the Browns. He then broke his ankle in Week 5 against the Chargers and required season-ending surgery, firmly putting financial discussions on hold until his health returned to full strength.
As three arguably inferior receivers from the 2014 NFL Draft received new contracts this offseason, Beckham remained faithful to the Giants. He reported to voluntary Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamp on time. He never threatened a holdout from training camp — a route other NFL stars have used as leverage. Maturity issues subsided.
Although he has not played in any preseason games, Beckham has fully participated in team practice drills, insisting throughout the summer that he believed his contract situation would resolve itself in due time.
Now both sides can finally move forward. With Week 1 of the regular season less than two weeks ago, the Giants have arguably the league’s best playmaker locked up long-term, and Beckham has the financial security that his market value demands. left practice Sunday on a cart, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning that initial tests revealed a sprained ankle with a deep bruise. Vernon’s timetable to return is not yet clear, but the Giants appear to have dodged a preseason catastrophe.
“His MRI didn’t show any breaks, so he’s just day-today with that ankle,” Shurmur said. “He got checked out pretty thoroughly.”
Tight end Evan Engram remains in the concussion protocol since his collision in last Friday’s preseason game, but he was on the practice field Monday wearing a helmet and playing catch — a positive sign for Giants fans.
The severity of concussions vary from player to player. Running back Jalen Simmons returned to practice Monday after suffering a concussion Aug. 17.
Barkley has also returned to full participation, blowing past linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong on a wheel route during 7-on-7s Monday. The Giants held him out of the last two preseason games with a mild hamstring strain. But like most starters, Barkley is unlikely to suit up Thursday against the Patriots.
“Practiced well yesterday and today. He looked good,” Shurmur said. “You can reveal to the world that he’s out here practicing full.”
Veteran linebacker Connor Barwin (knee soreness) practiced for the first time since Aug. 11, although he did not participate in team periods.
Romeo Okwara replaced Vernon as a starter in the base defense — a telling sign of his 53-man roster security. Teams must cut 37 players by Saturday.