Gettleman says Beckham deal was in best interests of Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — General manager Dave Gettleman says the trade of star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was in the best interests of the New York Giants and a deal the organization could not refuse.

Gettleman was speaking Monday for the first time since sending Beckham to the Cleveland Browns last week for first- and third-round picks this year along with safety Jabrill Peppers. He says there was no mystery behind the move of the highly popular Beckham.

Gettleman says the litmus tests for trading a star player is the value of what a team would get if it lost player who had a franchise tag — two first-round picks. He says the Giants got that in Peppers, the No. 17 overall pick and a third rounder. He says that will help fill numerous holes on a team that went 5-11 last season.

He adds that time will tell whether the Giants made a good deal.