Kitchens: Beckham situation 'nothing like the reports indicate'
Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens isn't buying the rumors.
Odell Beckham Jr. and the Browns are once again making headlines, with multiple reports indicating the star receiver wants out less than one season after arriving in a blockbuster trade from the New York Giants.
For what it's worth, Kitchens believes these reports are painting an inaccurate picture.
"Until I hear something from Odell - Odell and my relationship is fine," Kitchens said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "Odell and (receivers coach Adam Henry's) relationship is fine. I'm sorry, I don't think there's any 'gotcha' moment here. I can only tell you what I think, and what I've seen from Odell is nothing like the reports indicate, so sorry."
FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reported over the weekend that Beckham had been encouraging opposing players and coaches throughout the season to come and get him. Glazer, who correctly predicted early last offseason that the Giants would trade their superstar, added that he doesn't "see this relationship ending well."
A report from Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports on Monday then confirmed Glazer's information about Beckham lobbying opponents for a trade, while adding that he was both in "disbelief" upon being traded to the Browns and is "lost" in terms of where his career stands at this moment.
"Did Odell say that?" Kitchens said, via Cabot. "Case closed then. Odell didn't say it. Odell has not told me anything remotely dealing with that. I know he's doing a great job getting to the game (with his groin injury) on Sunday."
Beckham has been playing through a sports hernia that will reportedly require offseason surgery, and Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield added to the drama Sunday when he criticized the team's medical staff for the way it handled the injury.
The three-time Pro Bowler has been limited to 59 catches for 844 yards and two touchdowns through 13 games with the Browns, a respectable line for most wideouts but a far cry from the elite production he enjoyed in New York.
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