On the surface, it would seem like an obvious decision. The New York Giants have less than two weeks to decide whether to pick up the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Said option would pay OBJ an estimated $8 million for the 2018 season. When comparing to the salaries of other top-end receivers in the NFL, that’s pretty much peanuts. In fact, the $8 million would make Beckham Jr. the 21st highest-paid receiver in the NFL right now.
Here’s a dude that has put up an average of 96 receptions for 1,374 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons. Those are historically good numbers right there.
Despite this, the Giants have not yet decided to pick up the 2018 option on OBJ’s rookie contract.
“We are going to discuss that when the time gets closer,” general manager Jerry Reese said recently, via SNY.com . “We will keep all of our options open with respect to that.”
For his part, the issue with Beckham Jr. has not been his production on the field. He’s gotten into multiple fights during games throughout his short career and has shown some immaturity off the field. That’s likely the primary reason New York is still undecided on the Pro Bowler’s long-term future with the team.
Should the Giants not pick up the 2018 option on OBJ’s contract, he will likely hit free agency following the upcoming season. After all, if the team were to then place the franchise tag on him, he’d be looking at a salary almost twice as much as his $8 million option calls for.