The New York Giants have asked for at least two first-round picks for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., according to a league source told Adam Schefter of ESPN, although the team insists that they are not actively shopping the three-time Pro Bowl selection.
General manager Dave Gettleman addressed the speculation surrounding Beckham on Tuesday, refusing to directly say that Beckham is not available for trade, but also repeating the phrase, "You don't give up on talent," learned from his mentor Ernie Accorsi.
There have been two recent reports: One, from NFL Network, stating that Beckham would not step on the field this year without a contract extension. Another, from the New York Daily News, pointed out that the Los Angeles Rams were seeking to trade for Beckham.
"Neither Odell nor his agent have contacted us regarding either of the two reports," Gettleman said Tuesday at the NFL owners' meetings. "So, to be clear: I will not respond to questions about either of the two reports, and as I said earlier, any decision I make will be in the best interest of the New York football Giants."
Co-owner John Mara said on Sunday that no one on the team is untouchable, and declined to confirm whether Beckham would be on the 2018 roster.
Later on Tuesday, Mara said, "He's not on the block. Is that going to stop clubs from calling to ask? No. But he's not on the block. We are not shopping him.
"I don't want him to be traded," Mara continued. "I want him to be a Giant. I can't say it's a 100 percent guarantee that it will happen. I can't say that about any player."
Beckham has gotten into trouble after some on-field tantrums and some off-field issues, like a trip to Miami with his fellow wide receivers one week before a postseason game in January 2017 against the Green Bay Packers, and a recent social media video that showed him with a woman in bed with a pizza, a brown cigarette, and white powder.
But within the walls of the Giants organization, many say he is a good teammate and works hard. Gettleman admitted the latter at the end of Tuesday's news conference.
"The kid works his fanny off," Gettleman said. "His rehab is going terrifically well. He sends us pictures, he sent us a video of him running. He's an excellent worker."
Information from Dan Graziano was used in the writing of this note.