Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was involved in a blockbuster trade ahead of the new NFL league year when the New York Giants traded the wideout to the Cleveland Browns. The Giants received safety Jabrill Peppers, the No. 17 overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft and the No. 95 overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft in exchange for the 26-year-old pass catcher.
Following the news of his departure from the Big Apple, Giants fans were met with mixed emotions.
The same reality is what Beckham faced and he took to social media to release an emotional statement and farewell to the Giants fan base.
“So many mixed emotions and feelings. This is all, a lot to process but it is reality,” he wrote on Instagram. “I want to thank the NY Giants organization for giving me an opportunity to do what God put me on this earth to do, I want to thank the organization and the owners for everything and especially giving me my first chance to be a part of the NFL.
“To the New Yorkers and REAL NYG fans… you guys will always have a place in my heart, a beautiful city… a beautiful place Thank You for every last moment and experience.”
In Cleveland, Beckham will join former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry to form one of the league’s top 1-2 wide receiver tandems. He also joins a Browns offense that features former Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield under center, star running back Kareem Hunt and former UGA star Nick Chubb in the backfield along with the versatile Duke Johnson, and dynamic pass-catching tight end David Njoku.
Throughout his career, Beckham has hauled in 390 catches for 5,476 yards, and 44 touchdowns since joining the league as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Now, Beckham, who signed a five-year deal worth as much as $95 million with the Giants last summer, will look for a new start while the Giants carry $16 million in dead cap space for the year.
