By WFAN.com
The relationship between the Giants and Odell Beckham Jr. appears to be much stronger now than it was last month when owner John Mara and general manager Dave Gettleman refused to rule out trading their star wide receiver.
On Tuesday, Beckham showed up for the start of the Giants' three-day, voluntary minicamp. Meanwhile, new coach Pat Shurmur said he "absolutely" expects the three-time Pro Bowler to be back with the team next season.
"He's an excellent player," Shurmur said. "He's a part of our team, and he's a very valued member of our team.''
Beckham participated in warmups and the walkthrough portions but not practice itself Tuesday, as he has yet to be cleared for on-the-field activities following his surgery for a broken ankle in October. He suffered the season-ending injury in a Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Earlier this month, Beckham showed up for the start of the Giants' voluntary offseason program, which includes only strength and conditioning and physical rehab in the first two weeks. After one week, Beckham returned to his offseason home in Los Angeles to work out there.
Shurmur said he's fine with that arrangement.
"It's like any relationship, we constantly communicate,'' Shurmur said. "We had a great talk (Monday) as we were getting ready for this minicamp so we could talk about what we were trying to get accomplished. We've spoken on the phone; we text. It's like any relationship. We're very honest and open with one another, and we communicate frequently.''
Beckham, who is reportedly looking for a contract that will make him the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver before the start of the season, has had a tumultuous offseason. Last month, a viral video showed him holding what appeared to be a brown cigarette while he was in bed with an aspiring French model near a plate with lines of a white substance on it. Beckham was also named in a $15 million lawsuit filed by a man claiming he was brutally beaten by the Giant's hired bodyguard and another man.
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Shortly after, Mara said he had grown tired of answering questions about Beckham's behavior. That led to Gettleman sending mixed signals publicly about whether Beckham would be back on the team next season..
In the first four seasons of his career, Beckham, has amassed 313 receptions for 4,424 yards with 38 touchdowns.
