DePodesta: Beckham rumors false

The Odell Beckham Jr.-to-theMinnesota Vikings rumors are false.

Make that “Completely false.” Browns Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta said in a conference call with local media on April 26 that reports of the Browns having discussions with the Vikings about sending the wide receiver to Minnesota for a second- and fifth-round draft picks next year are not accurate.

The original report came from Marc Malusis of WFAN-AM 660 in New York, who said on Twitter, “Trade is not done, but the deal is being discussed.” DePodesta disagrees.

“In short, I’d say it’s completely false,” DePodesta said.

“It’s a frustrating a little bit. It’s pretty clear we are trying to build at this point. We have built around a core of players we feel has the chance to be a championship core. To take away from that doesn’t make a lot of sense, and not something we’re exploring at all. “It’s completely false.” Beckham is coming off

his first year as a Cleveland Brown, one in which he caught 74 passes for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns. He had surgery in January for a sports hernia that he reportedly played with throughout the 2019 season.

The Vikings are possibly in the market for a marquee receiver after trading 2015 first-round draft pick Stefon Diggs to Buffalo this offseason.

Adding fuel to the fire, regarding Beckham’s trade

speculation is a report this week by radio show host Colin Cowherd, who said Beckham wants to be traded by the Browns.

Said Cowherd on his show, “The Herd,” “He’s been a good soldier. He’s not gonna make a big deal. He’ll deny it. He wants to get along with everybody. ... Let’s just say this: OBJ will not go public, (but) he knows Minnesota is a good place. He knows it’s a good fit.”

DePodesta downplayed

that report, also, saying nothing this offseason has shown any such feeling coming from Beckham.

“I’d leave that (discussion) to Odell and (head coach) Kevin (Stefanski) to talk about,” DePodesta said. “I have no reason to believe he doesn’t want to be (in Cleveland). Odell has been very good this offseason. He’s been engaged with Kevin. He’s excited about the possibilities this offense could bring to him. We’re excited to have him.”