New York Giants: All-in or all-out on Odell Beckham Jr., Eli Manning

The New York Giants need to realize that trading Odell Beckham Jr. should also mean ending Eli Manning’s tenure with the organization.

Oh, look at the time — it’s “Should the New York Giants trade Odell Beckham Jr. o’clock,” again!” This hour comes legitimately every month anymore, so much that it can’t be ignored even by passionate New York fans who don’t wish to see the dynamic wide receiver dealt ahead of the upcoming campaign.

As Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post explained, we most recently arrived here on Feb. 13 after The Athletic’s Jay Glazer said the Giants will trade the 26-year old after being pressed to make a “bold prediction.”

Beckham appeared unbothered by the latest alleged buzz, taking to Twitter to post a pair of cryptic, albeit meaningless, messages, while the previously mentioned Glazer tweeted a NSFW response to those who offered unkind words about his forecast. What should be remembered, in all of this, is that Glazer didn’t actually report anything. Had he not been asked to offer a bold prediction, it’s likely few, if any, would be discussing the matter on Valentine’s Day.

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This is the silliest of silly seasons, not just for pro football but for all of North American sports. NFL free agency doesn’t open for another month, and the scouting combine is weeks away. March Madness remains in the distance. NBA teams are going through the motions ahead of the All-Star break, and NHL clubs haven’t yet finalized rosters. Spring training has just begun. There’s little to discuss for those looking to generate clicks and boost television and radio ratings.

Beckham is a lightning rod, and the fact that he’s been the topic of trade rumors and discussions over the past two years provided momentum for Glazer’s comment. In the past, WFAN personality Mike Francesa has all but attempted to drive OBJ out of the New York region, himself.

Those of us not working within the organization don’t know, with any certainty, how eager co-owner John Mara or general manager Dave Gettleman are to rid themselves of a playmaker with Hall of Fame talent just now entering his prime. There is also one other person to consider: Quarterback Eli Manning.

Things often change quickly in the NFL, but all indications point to the Giants bringing the 38-year old two-time Super Bowl MVP back to start at quarterback for the 2019 campaign regardless of what any fans think of it. Even if the Giants intend on using a first-round pick on a signal-caller tasked with replacing Manning come 2020, the plan likely will involve that rookie sitting behind the veteran for at least a portion of the campaign similar to how the Giants handled Manning back in 2004.

The Giants handing Manning his gig heading into training camp unofficially informs fans those in charge of the franchise believe he’s the best man in the quarterback room to lead the team to victories on Sundays. That reality will spark plenty of debates and hot takes among customers and observers, but it can’t be ignored. No team, let alone the Giants with its roster as it exists in the middle of February, brings a QB who may only have one more season in the tank back if it isn’t trying to win now.

Logic suggests Beckham and Manning should be a package deal. Removing Manning’s best aerial target from his arsenal to focus the offense around running back Saquon Barkley is a waste of everybody’s time and of the rest of the unit’s talent. If anything similar is, in fact, a real aim, the Giants should just cut ties with Manning now and start the team’s quarterback of the future in Week 1.

Much has and will be made about salary cap space and just how much the Giants will be able to spend throughout the offseason. It’s understandable outsiders sometimes feel overwhelmed with such concerns, but these figures almost always work themselves out. Contracts can and will be restructured. As Forbes contributor Patricia Traina recently explained, OBJ’s deal can be reworked this offseason. Trading Beckham isn’t the team’s only option for freeing-up funds.

A wide gap separates the Giants listening to offers for Beckham and the team actually putting him on the market. If any intention of shopping Beckham exists within the front office, though, ending Manning’s tenure with the club sooner than later is the right move, both for the team and for the greatest offensive player in franchise history who may still feel he has plenty to offer a different franchise this fall.