Enjoying the rare expansive midseason free agency sweepstakes, Odell Beckham Jr. may still be days away from making a decision. And this process has involved multiple frontrunners. A new one may be emerging.
The latest chatter around the NFL points to the Chiefs pulling ahead in the pursuit of the standout wide receiver, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. This news comes not long after the Saints were perceived as the leaders here. The Chiefs present an interesting situation for Beckham, who has hoped to land with a contender.
Although Patrick Mahomes is in the worst slump of his career, the Chiefs bring a combination of contender status and a top-flight quarterback-HC duo in Mahomes and Andy Reid. The two-time reigning AFC champions have made offensive line improvements but have still seen their elite passing attack slowed. As teams move to minimize Mahomes’ deep strikes, the Chiefs are averaging 12 points per game over their past three.
The Chiefs would not present the kind of volume Beckham could receive with the Saints, who are desperate for a No. 1 receiver. But OBJ would stand to be a big upgrade on Mecole Hardman and be in line to play a different role compared to what was expected in New York and Cleveland. The 29-year-old target would slot in as Kansas City’s No. 3 option in the passing game, behind Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Fellow ex-Browns weapon Josh Gordon has not made an impact as a Chief. The 30-year-old wideout has one catch in five games with the team.
The earliest Beckham would resume his season would seemingly be Week 11, and Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets teams in this race are under the impression the eighth-year veteran will wait until after Sunday’s games to decide on a destination. The Saints, Seahawks, Patriots and Packers are known to be in the mix, with multiple other unknown suitors apparently still active here as well.
Who’s going to overpay for OBJ??
Nobody is going to “overpay” for him. Every team involved is going to get him for the rest of the year at a significant discount. Come on man, understand the finances of the league.
Sean Payton says they’re not claiming him so everyone says now that they must be signing him. Without a concurrent move, I don’t see it. He’ll be owed at the vet minimum a prorated amount of 1.075 while the Saints have 700k in cap space. It just doesn’t make sense according to any logic or numbers.
If you haven’t been following this story which i can tell you haven’t, but according to ESPN and the NFL network the Browns still have to carry the weight of the biggest part of his contract for this year so whoever gets him will be getting him at a very discounted price.
Said from the start cheifs make a lot of sense. Top quality coach and QB, wouldn’t be 1st or 2nd option but should get touches. Mahomes loves to throw a miracle ball.
Other team which makes a lot of sense is Green Bay. It’s going to be between these two and maybe Seattle but that’s a reach
As a fan of the Chiefs, I will tell you that the “miracle ball” is not happening this year. The league has figured Mahomes out and it’s time for him to adjust.
Don’t they already have a former star receiver that they’re not doing anything with in Josh Gordon? And I thought he wanted to join a contender? KC looks pretty bad right now.
I don’t care for the Chiefs, but to call them a non-contender is absurd.
I’m a raiders fan and I think the chiefs are winning this division.
“ Standout”
Really? Ok, then, it’s for performance why he stands out.
That would be a great team for him! He can have his dad complain by years end that he hasn’t gotten any passes thrown his way! Then the ones thrown his way he drops! He could have been someone special but turned into a head case!
This aged great!