Rumor: Vikings, Browns discussed Odell Beckham Jr. trade

UPDATE 4-16: There hasn’t been any new reports on Odell Beckham Jr. being traded, but Pro Football Talk has given some context that gives the rumor a little life. In connecting the dots, PFT believes the information leak to Marc Malusis of WFAN (the Giants flagship station) is more than possible if the Vikings reached out to the Giants for information on why their relationship with Beckham deteriorated. Regarding the beat writer denials, PFT found it interesting that Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot cited a Vikings source instead of a Browns source, as they possibly don’t want to burn their relationship with Cabot by lying so blatantly to her. Of course, this is all speculation, but it doesn’t look like this rumor is going to die overnight.

The Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings are reportedly in trade talks to send Odell Beckham Jr. to Minnesota for a second and a fifth round draft pick, per Mark Malusis of WFAN Sports Radio.

In theory, the trade makes some sense, as the Vikings just traded away Stefon Diggs and need a replacement. The question is, why would they take on another receiver who has had trouble with his coaching and quarterbacks in the past, possibly setting them up for another rocky ride?

So far, two trusted local beat reporters, Paul Allen of KFAN Radio and Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, have checked on the report and their sources called it “fake news” and “false.” At this point, we have to lean toward the more trusted reporters who we know to have team connections over Mr. Malusis’ sources, but stranger things have happened, especially involving Odell Beckham Jr. If a deal is going to happen, it would likely be between now and the start of the 2020 NFL Draft next week.