When New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur took the podium in Indianapolis at the 2019 NFL Combine on Wednesday, the first thing he did was reveal the team’s plans to stick with quarterback Eli Manning this coming season.
With that already out of the way, general manager Dave Gettleman decided to open his press conference by ending another source of endless speculation: the potential trade status of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
“We didn’t sign Odell Beckham to trade him. I know that’s all over the place right now, but we didn’t sign him to trade him,” Gettleman said without being asked. “That’s all I need to say about that.”
For the second time in the span of two hours, the Giants busted a football narrative that simply refused to cease and for that, they deserve applause.
After Beckham was signed to a long-term extension prior to the 2018 regular season, it was believed that his position in New York was cemented. However, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports added a little fuel to the dying fire earlier this month when he made the “bold prediction” that Beckham would be traded.
Glazer later refused to back down from that proclamation, instead doubling down that he believes the trade will happen this offseason.
Gettleman heard that noise and wanted to quiet it as swiftly as he could, and he tried. Whether or not the speculation ceases remains to be seen, but as far as the Giants are concerned, Beckham will be their starting No. 1 when the 2019 regular season gets underway.
