By WFAN.com
The trading of Odell Beckham Jr. from the Giants to the Browns could go down as one of the most important deals in NFL history.
Beckham was dealt to Cleveland after five seasons in New York. He'll now team-up with Jarvis Landry, who he has known since he was a teenager, and Baker Mayfield.
On Monday, the former Giants' wide receiver was introduced to the press in Cleveland for the first time. Beckham spoke about his initial reactions when he first heard about the trade from New York general manager Dave Gettleman.
"It was definitely a shock," Beckham said to the media. "I think I've come to grips with everything and processed everything, because it was a lot … I was heading to dinner, and I remember just seeing Gettleman calling and I knew something was going down … I don't even know how else to describe it, but it's just a lot: a lot of emotions, a lot of thoughts that run through your mind."
When it all finally became official, Beckham had been traded for a 2019 first-round pick (No. 17 overall), a third-round selection and safety Jabrill Peppers, who was a first-round pick in 2017.
Beckham had signed a new five-year contract worth over $90 million with the Giants in August of 2018. Gettleman publicly stated that the team had not signed him just to trade him, so Beckham's supposed surprise at the trade is not surprising in itself.
The 26-year-old put up prolific numbers in New York, but his time with the Giants was also marred by drama on and off the field.
Beckham spoke about his eagerness to start playing with a young, talented Browns team, and specifically with Landry.
"We spoke this into existence almost. Him and I dreamed of this. This is something we talked about at 17 … it's like surreal … there's no better place for me to be but here."
Beckham and Landry have been friends for a long time. Both players grew up in Louisiana and played college football at LSU before being drafted and making their marks in the NFL with separate teams.
Beckham also took a moment to assure people that he has no issues playing in a smaller city like Cleveland, after spending so much time in New York.
"I know where I'm at in life. I don't need to be in New York. I don't need to be in LA. I could be in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, it doesn't matter where I'm at … I care about football. I care about winning … I think this moment is going to be more iconic than we all realize right now, to look back in 10 years, like man I remember April 1, 2019, the start of something great."
