Heather Van Norman was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame in 2017, and now there is a report that says her son, Odell Beckham Jr., could be traded to the Minnesota Vikings.
The trade rumor, which should be taken with a vat of salt for now, comes from Marc “Moose” Malusis, co-host of “Moose and Maggie” on iconic New York City radio station AM 660 WFAN.
“Last night, I get a text from a good, well-placed source who basically said don’t be surprised if you see Odell Beckham Jr. get traded to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2 and a 5 next year,” Malusis said, with the 2 and 5 referencing second- and fifth-round draft picks going back to Cleveland.
“That’s what he was hearing. He said don’t be surprised if that deal does not happen. It’s not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination, but the Cleveland Browns are having conversations with the Minnesota Vikings and there have been talks about Odell getting dealt to Minnesota and the cost back in return, as of within the last 48 hours, is a 2 and a 5 that would go back to Cleveland.”
So, as I reported this morning on @MandMWFAN, Source has told me that the Browns and Vikings are in discussions on a trade that would send @obj to the Vikings for a 2nd and 5th round pick next year. Trade is not done, but the deal is being discussed.
— Moose™ (@MarcMalusis) April 15, 2020
Malusis said Minnesota is the only team he’s heard connected to the Browns for Beckham, adding that his source is someone he “completely and utterly” trusts. However, Vikings radio play-by-play voice Paul Allen says his source calls the report “fake news.”
Just asked somebody who would know if #Vikings and Browns discussing deal for OBJ. Response was "Fake News."
I believe the source. #Onward— Paul Allen (@PAOnTheMic) April 15, 2020
Beckham, 27, battled injuries but still played in all 16 games and finished his first season in Cleveland with 74 receptions for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns.
One obvious connection between the Browns and Vikings is Kevin Stefanski, who is entering his first year as Browns head coach after serving as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator.
One major sticking point, however, would likely be Beckham’s $14 million guaranteed 2020 salary. Minnesota is already pressed against the cap, so bringing in new money without sending salary out makes any trade for a big-name star very complex.
Minnesota’s wide receiver room is currently led by Adam Thielen, but behind him there is little proven depth since Stefon Diggs was traded to the Buffalo Bills.
Beckham is the son of Van Norman, who is the most decorated track athlete in Windom Area High School history. She graduated in 1988, winning Minnesota state championships in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes four years in a row, just a part of her astonishing 147-race winning streak.
She was an All-American track star at Louisiana State University, where she met Odell Beckham Sr.
