At times in recent years, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has seemed less than complimentary when it came to quarterback Eli Manning, going as far as to suggest Manning is the root cause of many of Big Blue’s problems earlier this year.
But Beckham’s tune appeared to change on Friday afternoon.
Just minutes after having his season come to an unceremonious end, finding himself ruled out in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, Beckham began looking forward to the 2019 season and, for the first time, strongly campaigned for Manning to return.
It wasn’t just about his desire to see Manning back next season, however. Rather, Beckham says, he wants to help Manning hoist one final Lombardi Trophy before ultimately hanging things up and stepping away from the game until his eventual enshrinement in Canton.
“I love Eli,” Beckham told reporters. “I’ve been with Eli — he’s the first quarterback I’ve ever had in the league. I threw with him at Manning camp and [even] back in High School.
“At the end of the day, I want him to be able to go home and talk trash to his brothers, you know? I want him to go out — when it’s his time to go out — I want him to go out the right way. I want him to go out with a trophy so he can go home and not rub it in their face, but he’s got three rings and they’ve got two. That’s what I want for him. That’s how I want him to finish [his career].”
Beckham also expressed his frustration over injuries, vowing to come back even stronger next season, proclaiming it will be his best season to date and that anyone who lines up across from him will be in store for a nightmare.
Whether or not Beckham gets his wish of a Manning return remains to be seen, but his sudden change in tune is undoubtedly a welcomed addition in the locker-room. And if he can find complete health in 2019, it will go a long way in helping Manning obtain that elusive third Super Bowl ring.
