Cleveland’s chief strategy officer called the report “completely false” during a conference call with reporters Thursday afternoon.
“It's frustrating a little bit, obviously,” DePodesta said. “I think it is pretty clear what we are trying to build at this point. We have done an awful lot in free agency. We are excited about what we have a chance to do in the draft, and we are really building around a core of players that we think have a chance to be a championship-caliber core.
“The idea that we would take away from that core at this moment just does not make a whole lot of sense and is really not something that we are exploring at all.”
Wednesday morning Marc Malusis of WFAN in New York reported the teams spoke about a trade that would net Cleveland 2021 second- and fifth-round picks.
Colin Cowherd also said on his show Wednesday that although Beckham has been playing the role of “a good soldier,” Beckham wants out of Cleveland.
“I have no reason to believe he doesn't want to be here,” DePodesta said. “Odell has been very good this offseason. He has been engaged with Kevin [Stefanski].
“I think he is excited about the possibilities of what this offensive system could bring for him, and we are excited to have him.”
Beckham played through a core muscle injury during the 2019 season that saw him finish second on the team in catches with 74 and yardage with 1,035 yards behind Jarvis Landry.