There’s nothing like a little Odell Beckham Jr. bombshell to get the offseason juices flowing.

Not that Patriot Nation needs much of a jump start coming off a Super Bowl win. But news of a possible reload is always fun, and in this case, the supposed attempt at one by Bill Belichick last year that never got off the ground is definitely interesting if true.

On Pro Football Talk Live Monday, Chris Simms claimed the Patriots were frontrunners to land the star wideout when the Giants were shopping him last offseason.

The Pats had an obvious need at that point with Julian Edelman facing a four-game PED suspension, Danny Amendola headed off to Miami with his free agent deal and Brandin Cooks traded to Los Angeles.

While Belichick doesn’t typically make moves for front line receiving talent like Beckham, it’s certainly in the realm of possibility that the Hoodie would drop a few dimes on the Giants based on how desperate the Pats were at the position.

“From everything I know, from multiple sources, the thing that stopped the trade conversation with Odell Beckham Jr. is because the team that was most aggressive in pursuing him was the New England Patriots,” said Simms. “The New England Patriots were trying to get Odell Beckham Jr. all last offseason . . . and I think the Giants got cold feet.”

As the tale goes, the Giants didn’t want to give Beckham to the Patriots because they didn’t want to hand over another Super Bowl trophy. Well, the Pats got one anyway.

But, let’s not stop there.

With FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer believing the Giants are still going to trade Beckham during this offseason, why not drop a few more dimes toward the Big Apple? Sixth ring and all, the Patriots are still receiver-challenged.

With Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson headed to free agency, that leaves Julian Edelman and a cast of extras named Braxton Berrios, Cody Hollister, Darren Andrews and Damoun Patterson. They stand as the only receivers currently on the roster for next season (Josh Gordon is suspended).

With the possibility of Rob Gronkowski retiring, that group doesn’t immediately inspire thoughts of championship No. 7 for Tom Brady & Co. That’s why this Beckham story raises so many eyebrows in New England. If the Pats were kicking the tires last year, why wouldn’t they continue pursuit this year? They have a ton of draft picks in their back pocket.

Of the elite receivers supposedly being traded — that means you, Antonio Brown — Beckham would be the one to go after, if the Patriots are truly inclined to hit the divasphere.

What’s his appeal?

Brady appears to like the guy. The two have been exchanging friendly texts of late. Beckham sent a “Love u brother” to the Patriots quarterback this past week. So they already have a jump start on their chemistry.

Second, Beckham’s contract, while expensive, isn’t outrageous. The cap hit wouldn’t be bad initially ($4.04 million) in 2019 before jumping up in 2020 ($17.4) and 2021 ($18.9).

The Pats haven’t had the best luck picking receivers in the draft. If they’re looking to continue to maximize Brady’s last years, bringing in a Beckham type would be one way to do it.

He’s 26. He’s supremely talented. And yet, it still sounds a bit far-fetched the Patriots would seriously entertain the notion of trading for a big-ticket receiver, especially after trading Cooks. They dealt him, because he was in the final year of his deal, and they didn’t want to pay him what he was going to make as a top end free agent.

If you want to roll with it, maybe where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Maybe Beckham finds his way to Foxboro this year, and he can control the diva act to an extent playing for a ring and playing with Brady. Or, the Pats find some other way to deal with the weakest area of their offense.

Whatever way you look at it, the Patriots need to upgrade their receiver talent. After Edelman, the cupboard’s pretty bare.

Whether they finally hit strike it rich in the draft, hit in free agency with Golden Tate, or do a blockbuster with OBJ, it’s time for a new infusion of talent.