AUGUST 14: During an appearance on the Club Random podcast (video link), Beckham revealed he and Aaron Rodgers have spoken about a potential Steelers deal. Nothing is imminent on that front, although Pittsburgh has loomed as a potential suitor for a veteran receiver addition this offseason. Beckham would fit the bill, but it remains to be seen if any agreement will be reached.
AUGUST 13: Although Odell Beckham Jr. has enjoyed stretches that reminded of the stratospheric pace he was on early in his Giants tenure, the former superstar was never able to sustain that level. Injuries have played the lead role in that line of demarcation forming, and the wide receiver’s post-prime form has set in since he returned from a Super Bowl LVI ACL tear.
That tear was Beckham’s second since October 2020, and his comebacks with the Ravens and Dolphins did not closely remind of his prime work. Beckham did not finish the season with Miami last year, being cut in December and clearing waivers. While the 32-year-old pass catcher is near the end of a memorable career, he is not ready to hang up his cleats.
The 2014 first-round pick intends to play in 2025, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who notes “several” teams have shown interest. Considering we are in mid-August and Beckham buzz did not exactly flood NFL news cycles during the primary free agency period, it is safe to assume no one is aggressively pursuing the three-time Pro Bowler. But needs for supporting-cast talent or injuries at the position could lead OBJ back to a roster. He joins Amari Cooper as accomplished unsigned wideouts, after Keenan Allen reunited with the Chargers last week.
The Dolphins had Beckham on a one-year, $3MM deal last season — after signing him in May 2024 — but saw more injury trouble impact him. Offseason knee surgery delayed Beckham’s Miami debut by four weeks, as the Dolphins did not disclose the issue during the summer — as OBJ practice absences piled up without clear explanations. Upon being activated, Beckham caught just nine passes for 55 yards. Signed to be Miami’s No. 3 wideout alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Beckham never played more than 20 offensive snaps in a Dolphins game. The team waived him after nine games.
Beckham’s Ravens stint brought much more notable work; he caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens did not re-sign him, however, opting to give the now-twice-extended Rashod Bateman more work in 2024. Beckham’s second-quarter injury in the Rams’ Super Bowl win kept him out for the 2022 season, as no deal — despite endless Cowboys connections — came to pass. He still fetched a $15MM full guarantee from the Ravens in 2023. Any Beckham deal now would be at or near the veteran minimum, given his injury trouble and minimal Dolphins production. OBJ would probably also need to work out for a team to display full health.
Certainly one of the most talented receivers of his era, Beckham showed tremendous promise early and has five 1,000-yard seasons on his resume (none since 2019). If he does not play another down, he will sit just outside the top 100 in receiving TDs (59) while ranking 118th in receiving yards (7,987). He is attempting what could amount to a final salvo to update those marks before calling it quits.
Why?
The Ravens and Rams are really only the two times post Giants he’s been healthy and had good QB play.
He missed 21 games in 5 seasons with the Giants. He was never really that healthy. Great athlete, mentally unstable. Horrible headache.
For what ?
Lmao interesting. My top landing spots/“interested” teams he could up with are:
1. Raiders
2. Jets
3. Steelers
4. Cowboys
5. Rams
6. Giants
Mean Machine would take him.
Giants want no part of their ex-diva and Jets do not need any pass catchers with a surgically repaired Achilles.
Besides, the sentinel didn’t notice there was a “Beckham retired” tweet within the past week on a fake “X” account attributed to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Beckham was forced to disavow that fake tweet.
Giants completely new regime since his departure 6 years ago.
I could see the Giants kicking the tires. Their top three WR are Nabers, Slayton, and Wan’Dale Robinson. After that, their best WR by far on the roster is Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who has only caught more than 13 passes in a season once in his six year career. In other words, they need veteran depth in a big way.
If OBJ is healthy, a big if, he could contribute on the Giants.
Chucky, Jets have one of the worst WR corps in the league. They could absolutely use OBJ.
@rct Uh no… he’s 32yo, always hurt, and last season he hauled in a whopping 9 receptions in 9 games with 0 TDs. You can get that same level of production out of any undrafted FA currently sitting home. I’m sure he’s asking for at least $5 million too!
What drug are you using? $3m last time does not add up to a year older and out to $5m. Where is your logic?
@Qckappa It “adds up” because playing in the NYC metro area is a lot more TAXING on your paycheck.
The Jets extended Garrett Wilson just before training camp started.
And contrary to what rct wants, the Giants are not bringing back anyone who was on the Boat Trip.
lmaoooo thank you for bringing up the Boat Trip, Chucky. It’s been a while since you dusted that one off.
True. Jets only need QBs with repaired achilles injuries.
Jerry Jones lost out on the last OBJ sweepstakes so I have to believe he will be “all in” on this one…lol.
Watching too much ESPN? Watching too much FS1?
Please Minnesota, stay away
instead of bitcoin .. he will asked to be paid in gold plated double eagles
Beckham with Eli Manning: 390.catches, 5476 yards, 44 TD, 256 1D in 59 games
Beckham without Eli Manning: 185 Rec, 2511 yards, 15 TD, 118 1D, in 60 games.
Oh, I’m sure this one will go over well with the HoF debaters…
I get your response, which I enjoyed, but OBJ is only 59th in receiving TD’s and >100 in receiving yards. That’s a LOT of guys ahead of him who deserve induction before him. Now if there were a self-serving HOF, that’s another matter…
Oh, I meant for Eli.
Why? Dude is overcooked
Not that I really want OBJ on the 49ers, but our WR corps is so depleted that it might just make sense.
He will hold up a sign saying “Will Work … To Fleece Your Team”.
Damn, I knew the Steelers would come up. Sure, why not? Might as well go sign Vontaze Burfict too.
When was the last time he was good? 2013?
Was never the same player after he got hurt in 2020, though he contributed to the Rams championship.
I would think Amari Cooper or Tyler Boyd would be a better fit.
So he can do nothing on another team?
Can’t wait to get out and celebrate the signing by getting together with the 18 men he considers BFFs and get all oiled up on a party boat.