CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns and their fans are happy to have Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., but how does the playmaking pass-catcher really feel about leaving the New York Giants?
Nearly a week after being traded from the New York Giants to the Browns and saying in a release that he was excited to be a part of something special, Beckham Jr. announced on Instagram Tuesday that he was going dark on social media for a while to “reevaluate some of the things in my life.”
“P.S.A. I love you all so much,” Beckham Jr., 26, wrote in the since-deleted post. “For the ones that follow and support, I thank u all for that. I’m takin an emotional, mental, physical/blah blah blah vacation.
“I appreciate the love honestly, but at this moment, for the next couple of days I’m goin’ dark. I won’t be around, phone is gone, with all due respect, please don’t text/call/FaceTime unless it’s of the utmost importance. I really need some time to vibe and just get away, process, reevaluate some of the things in my life, as much has changed for me recently.”
Reading that post from Beckham Jr. begs the question: Should Browns fans be concerned about his desire to play for the Browns?
According to NJ.com, Giants running back Saquon Barkley, the reigning Rookie of the Year, spoke with Beckham Jr. shortly after the trade was made and the shared details of the conversation the two shared.
“I don’t think he was really happy about it,” Barkley said.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Beckham Jr. was upset over the fact that Antonio Brown got a bump in salary without having to sign an extension with the Oakland Raiders after being traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Beckham Jr. reportedly wants the same deal from the Browns.
Beckham Jr. signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension with the Giants prior to the 2018 season, and it calls for a substantial pay increase this year, as his base salary jumps from $1.49 million to $16.75 million with another $4 million in signing bonus due in 2019.
There is a potential out ahead of the 2021 season, so that gives the Browns at least two years of Beckham in the prime of his career.
WATCH: 'The Voice of the Browns' Jim Donovan talks with Dave "Dino" DeNatale about the Odell Beckham Jr. social media silence on the Donovan Live Postgame Show below:
Over 59 regular-season games, including 56 starts, in five years with the Giants, Beckham Jr. turned 622 targets into 390 receptions for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns. Beckham Jr. averaged 92.8 yards per game, including a league-best 108.8 during the 2014 season.
Beckham Jr. has put four 1,000-yard and three double-digit touchdown seasons on his resume since being selected with a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.
Last season, Beckham Jr. turned in a 77-catch, 1,052-yard, six-touchdown effort for the Giants.
Beckham Jr. was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2014-2016) and two-time Second Team All-Pro honoree (2015-2016) during his five years with the Giants.
Regardless of the reason why Beckham Jr. went dark on social media, the Browns are hopeful he can be the kind of difference-making playmaker that he was with the Giants.
“I know Odell is very passionate, know he is competitive and I know he can help this football team,” Browns general manager John Dorsey said in a conference call last week. “If you can get the chance to acquire a guy like that, you know what? Take a shot at him.
“You can’t have enough competitive football players. We all understand the magnitude of his ability to play the game of football. He is a good football player, and you can’t have enough weapons around you. He is a really good asset to have on our football team.”