Giants head coach Pat Shurmur says Odell Beckham Jr. will ‘absolutely’ be part of team in 2018

It appears the New York Giants won’t be trading Odell Beckham Jr. after all. New head coach Pat Shurmur told the press the All-Pro wide receiver will “absolutely” be part of his team this fall — the last year of his rookie deal with the Giants.

The news comes after Beckham cleared the air in his contract standoff with the club by attending voluntary offseason workouts at the Giants’ practice facility. While he’s unable to fully participate in the practices thanks to his ongoing recovery from ankle surgery, his appearance was the strongest indicator yet he’s interested in staying with the franchise in 2018.

That is, until Shurmur clarified his star wideout’s status.

Beckham and New York appeared to be headed toward a split after the young wideout made it clear he was unhappy with his contract. His rookie contract expires after 2018, and while he’d command a monster deal as a free agent, he’s looking for the financial stability of a long-term extension this offseason. The Giants, on the other hand, have been slow to commit to a player whose attention-seeking behavior has drawn concerns from the team’s front office.

He’ll be paid more than $8.4 million in 2018 after making just $10.4 million over his first four seasons in the league. While that’s a substantial raise, he’d still be making below-market money after tallying more than 1,300 receiving yards in each of his first three years as a pro. That doesn’t interest a player who has made it clear he wants to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.

While New York may not have been actively shopping the explosive playmaker, team owner John Mara didn’t exactly give him a vote of confidence back in March.

“I can’t answer that one way or the other,” said Mara. “I mean we’re certainly not shopping him, if that’s what you’re asking (laughs). But when you’re coming off a season where you’re 3-13 and played as poorly as we played, I wouldn’t say anyone’s untouchable.”

He also mentioned trading Beckham was “not a scenario I would like to see happen.”

Beckham’s appearance at Tuesday’s mini-camp and Shurmur’s confidence he’ll remain in New York suggests Mara will get his wish. The Giants haven’t yet come to an extension with their star wide receiver, but it appears both sides are rebuilding the relationship that could keep Beckham in blue and white while rewarding him with the massive contract he’s earned after three Pro Bowl seasons.