New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman confirmed on Monday that the San Francisco 49ers called to make an offer for Odell Beckham Jr., according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The Cleveland Browns called as well, and that's where the wide receiver was shipped in exchange for draft picks and players.
Dave Gettleman on the Odell Beckham Jr. trade said it was because it was in the best interest of the New York Giants. Specified it was a "football decision." Nothing more to it. Gettleman also said Giants only called out to Bills. The 49ers and Browns called them to make offers.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 18, 2019
Pat Leonard of NY Daily News Sports adds that the 49ers were "consistently interested" in Beckham.
Thread: Dave Gettleman insists the only team he called himself on OBJ trade was the Bills after they lost out on Antonio Brown. Mentions Niners as consistently interested & Browns who made the deal. Leaves out initial convos with Rams that started all this a year ago.
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 18, 2019
There was a report from Jay Glazer of FOX Sports on Friday via The Athletic that the Giants wanted the 49ers' No. 2 overall pick in exchange for Beckham.
"The 49ers were in several different times," Glazer wrote via The Athletic. "They tried during the season and they tried here in the offseason. Someone with the Giants told me they were asking for the second pick of the draft from the 49ers, which the 49ers weren't willing to do."
It is unknown if San Francisco made a counteroffer to New York's demands or if other options would have even been considered. The only option that might have made sense to the 49ers would be swapping the No. 2 overall pick for the Giants' No. 6 and throwing in some additional picks in either this or next year's draft in the process.
In the end, the Giants kept their No. 6 and received the Browns' No. 17 overall pick in this year's draft, their second of two third-round picks (No. 95 overall), and two players while giving up Beckham and defensive end Olivier Vernon.
