New York Giants owner John Mara sounds far more optimistic about Odell Beckham Jr.’s future than ever before.
Back in March, New York Giants owner John Mara wouldn’t guarantee wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. a spot on the team’s roster, much less a contract extension. But Mara was singing a different tune on Wednesday.
“I hope so” was Mara’s response to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan when asked whether Beckham would remain a Giant past the 2018 season. That said, Mara isn’t in a rush to get a deal done with OBJ, who is entering the final year of his contract.
“I wouldn’t say sense of urgency. The contract will get done when it’s supposed to get done,” Mara told Raanan. “I think that is the [general manager] Dave Gettleman line. I think I’m going to adopt that. All spring, all summer, as long as it takes.”
After quarterback Eli Manning, Beckham is the face of the franchise. The controversial receiver, whose antics on-and-off the field have been an issue in the past, will certainly be on his best behavior as he looks to land a lucrative extension.
Beckham has been working out at the team’s training facility but has yet to be fully cleared by the team’s medical staff as he recovers from a fractured ankle that ended his season in Week 5.
Beckham reached the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons with the Giants. He had 90-plus catches with at least 1,300 yards and 10 or more touchdowns every year before last season.
Without him in the lineup, the Giants averaged 13.6 points last year in the 13 games he missed.
A healthy Beckham, along with an improved offensive line and running back Saquon Barkley, the team’s first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, could have the Giants’ offense reaching new heights in 2018.
