New York Giants co-owner John Mara made headlines on Tuesday when he essentially told reporters he wished Odell Beckham Jr. would shut up and play.
Granted, he was a bit more nuanced than that, but that was definitely the message that came across.
“I wish he would create the headlines by his play on the field, as opposed to what he says and does off the field,” Mara said. “I think he needs to do a little more playing and a little less talking.”
Beckham recently stirred up quite the hornet’s nest with comments about his team in an interview with ESPN. During that interview, he questioned the Giants’ heart and seemed to question whether Eli Manning has what it takes to make plays downfield, among other things.
On Wednesday at the conclusion of the NFL’s fall meetings in New York, Mara threw his support behind OBJ and said he intends on having a conversation with the receiver.
“I will [talk to Beckham] at some point,” Mara said, per Bob Glauber of Newsday. “I’ve had a number of those conversations with him in the past, but at some point, I’ll probably sit down with him.”
Mara also said, “Listen, I think he wants to win. He wants the same things that we want. He’s a work in progress, but I still believe in him.”
When he was asked if he believes Beckham has a long-term future with the Giants, he replied in the affirmative. When pressed further about whether that was an unequivocal statement, he replied, “If that’s the way you’re going to write it, yes.”
It’s hardly surprising that Beckham is frustrated. The Giants are 1-5 and the offense is a broken thing outside of the incredible rookie Saquon Barkley, who has wowed the nation in his first year with Big Blue.
As optimistic as Mara is about potentially smoothing things over with Beckham, it might be for naught. Unless Manning can somehow not look like an old man who can’t move or can’t throw 20-plus yards downfield, Beckham is only going to get more frustrated.
In the end, despite his record contract with the Giants, the best thing for both parties might be for Beckham to be moved in a trade.