It has actually happened and it's not Los Angeles or San Francisco. Odell Beckham Jr. is officially taking his talents north to the greater New England area.
In a stunning announcement on Sunday, the New York Giants have announced the transaction that is trading Odell Beckham Jr. to the New England Patriots. Adam Schefter of ESPN first mentioned the possibility, but, sufficed to say, it was met with extreme skepticism.
It wasn't until the Giants organization itself announced the news that fans were fully able to regain consciousness.
In acquiring Beckham Jr., Bill Belichick relents Rob Gronkowski, a 2018 first and third-round draft pick and a 2019 second rounder. It seems the master has done it again. He's killed two birds with one stone as Gronk's recent words and actions actually had some thinking he was on the brink of retiring from the league.
One of the greatest tight ends in NFL history made it crystal clear the retirement talk was nonsense. In fact, the wild card that put this blockbuster deal in motion was the one-on-one conversation Gronkowski had with Giants owner John Mara on Tuesday of last week.
“I don't know where these people come up with this stuff,” Gronkowski uttered while smiling ear-to-ear at the prospect of moving to Manhattan. “They really need to go out and get a life. I never once mentioned the word ‘retirement.' Everything's simply been about taking it slowly and figuring out what the best route was for me moving forward.
“Today, I'm a freaking Giant. I can't wait to get going.”
Gronkowski, 28, is still relatively young and combining with the talent the Giants currently employ on the outside—Sterling Shepard, Brandon Marshall—the move makes complete sense. Pair Gronk with young Evan Engram and Eli Manning and Pat Shurmur suddenly have a two-tight end personnel grouping to die for.
Up north, obviously, Beckham to the Pats is an all-world move. Tom Brady has repeatedly stuck by his claim of playing into his mid-40s and he's still several years away from that magic mark.
Beckham, 25, has shattered wide-receiving records over the course of his first three years in the league. With 4,424 total receiving yards and 38 touchdowns, he's jump-start on Canton is legendary for a kid his age.
What the polarizing Jints decision came down to was value. While, publicly, they made the right moves, the organization was extremely frustrated and upset with the recent negative OBJ headlines.
The infamous pizza, white powder and brown cigarette video apparently set them off the edge. Gettleman did admit other offers were coming in heavy—the rumored Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and even little-brother New York Jets—but the prospect of adding a rejuvenated Hall of Fame tight and three draft picks was too much to pass up.
“We love Odell Beckham Jr. and appreciate everything he's done for this franchise,” Gettleman, the man who once said no to Josh Norman while in Carolina, uttered. “It was just time for a fresh start.”
“We believe the addition of this particular tight end fits our head coach and quarterback much more given the current state of affairs of our depth chart and offensive system.”
It's time to rewind the clock a bit to the Randy Moss days. The last time Tom Brady came equipped with a Hall of Fame receiver he put up a cool 4,806 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Odell Beckham Jr. has yet to comment.
You've yet to comment as well. That's right. You. The reader. The date is April 1, 2018. Forget actually telling you what this particular date represents. We'll give you the chance to Google it first.
Sike. OBJ is still a Giant and Gronk is still confused as ever. We got you.
April Fools.
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