New York Giants owner John Mara said the team is preparing to open up contract negotiations with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., according to Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media.
Beckham, 25, is entering the final year of his contract, and is certainly worthy of a massive raise. Few wide receivers are as dominant and productive as Beckham, and the Giants could be looking at having to pay him a contract north of $80 million when it comes to negotiations.
Previous reports indicated that the Giants and Beckham weren't making progress on a contract, but it appears as though things have began to move in the right direction. Beckham has registered three 1,000-yard seasons, and likely would have gotten there in 2017 if a leg fracture didn't limit him to four games.
Recent speculation has suggested that Beckham could seek a contract worth $20-plus million a year. Given Beckham's status as a top-five wideout in the NFL, nobody should be surprised if he gets there.
The Giants won just three games last season, but there is plenty of optimism about a turnaround in 2018. For one, they drafted prize prospect running back Saquon Barkley with the second pick. The Giants were so high on Barkley, that they opted not to play it safe and draft a successor for veteran quarterback, Eli Manning.
The Giants can also bank on healthier years from Beckham and No. 2 receiver, Sterling Shepard. New York simply didn't have the depth on offense to get by with all the injuries, so they must be at full health in 2018.
Beckham has already dazzled enough with his ridiculous hands and athleticism. He's done more than enough to warrant a big pay day, but it remains to be seen how much the Giants will offer their star player.
But if Mara's recent comments are an indication of anything, talks are going in the right direction.