Are Browns Trading Odell Beckham Jr?
The Cleveland Browns lost their first game of the NFL season in dramatic fashion to the Baltimore Ravens.
Following the 38-6 defeat, many began to wonder if significant changes would need to be made to the roster.
On Tuesday, longtime New York radio host Mike Francesa reported that Cleveland brass was “looking to trade Odell.”
I hear Browns, who are clueless, looking to trade Odell
— Mike Francesa (@MikeFrancesa) September 15, 2020
Naturally, the report sparked something of a frenzy.
In response, NFL insider Benjamin Allbright began asking around, attempting to confirm the validity of the Beckham trade talks.
According to him – there are none. Beckham does not appear to be on the market.
Source tells me report of Browns actively shopping Odell Beckham Jr is false.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) September 15, 2020
When the Browns first acquired Beckham, there was a lot of optimism regarding what he would be able to do in Cleveland. The thinking was that he, along with quarterback Baker Mayfield, would form one of the AFC’s more formidable duos.
Obviously that didn’t happen.
Yikes. https://t.co/xLgPi14OBB
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 15, 2020
Last year, Beckham was hurt and Mayfield regressed badly. Their cumulative failures led to a 6-10 record and cost Freddie Kitchens his job.
This year, heading into the new season, there was once again a lot of optimism regarding promising things to come from the Mayfield-Beckham duo.
Week 1 proved that the hype was overstated this time around as well.
Mayfield tried badly to get Beckham involved early against Baltimore, to the tune of 10 targets.
Unfortunately, it didn’t lead to much of note – with Beckham finishing the day with three receptions for 22 total yards.
LeBron’s bubble set up is legit. https://t.co/cogxoi3GtA
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 15, 2020
Meanwhile, Mayfield recorded 189 yards, one touchdown and one interception for his troubles.
“I think it has to come naturally,” Mayfield said Tuesday of his chemistry with Beckham.
“Obviously, you game-plan and you scheme up things to get the balls in your playmaker’s hands. But then when it comes to game time they’re gonna give us certain looks that might take that away. We had a couple plays for him early on and the Ravens did a good job of taking that away, so we had to go through the reads and get the ball in other guys’ hands.
“So when it comes to game time, yeah you can practice, practice, practice and you might have a certain look all week in practice, but then come game time they might show you a different thing and you gotta react and play, and just move on. It’s gotta come naturally.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski offered similar thoughts.
“We didn’t connect obviously as much as we’d like to,” he said.
“It’s a combination of things. You have to really start with them (the Ravens) and give them credit. They made some plays. A couple balls, I’m sure Baker wants back. A couple of routes, I’m sure Odell wants back.”
While Beckham has yet to pay back the Browns for all they gave up to acquire him, it doesn’t appear as though the organization is ready to quit on him yet.
Next up for Cleveland: a Week 2 showdown versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
