OCTOBER 9: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Beckham continues to target a mid-November return. At that point, the trade deadline will have passed, so any club with playoff aspirations that did not satisfy its WR needs via trade will be in the mix. Rapoport suggests that Beckham will be eyeing a multi-year contract, which is the only factor that will limit what is expected to be a significant number of suitors.
In addition to the Bucs, Bills, Rams, and Saints, the Packers and Chiefs may be interested, and in the Charles Robinson piece linked below, the Ravens were also named as a realistic landing spot. Helping Beckham’s cause is the fact that his knee is reportedly much healthier than it was when he signed with the Rams last November, and he has already been cleared for non-contact work.
OCTOBER 6: Shifting briefly into reporter mode, Von Miller revealed at least part of Odell Beckham Jr.‘s free agency itinerary. The future Hall of Fame edge rusher said (via ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg, on Twitter) his former teammate will visit the Buccaneers, Saints and Giants.
Beckham’s Giants visit already commenced, but Jeff Howe of The Athletic described this week’s meeting as a checkup on former teammate Sterling Shepard rather than an official visit with the team (Twitter link). No free agency traction exists between Beckham and the Giants, Howe adds, and Beckham’s New York trip was not reported as an official visit. This is not exactly surprising, considering the Giants’ 2019 trade decision and its status as a rebuilding squad.
Like offseason Saints addition Tyrann Mathieu, Beckham is a New Orleans native. A Saints commitment would also reunite Beckham with LSU and Browns teammate Jarvis Landry, who attempted to recruit his longtime teammate to New Orleans this summer. The Saints restocked their receiving corps this offseason, adding Landry and trading up for Chris Olave. But Michael Thomas is dealing with an injury again — this one a foot ailment — after missing much of the 2020 and ’21 seasons. The Saints also pursued Beckham during his midseason free agency bid last year.
Despite the presences of Pro Bowlers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Tom Brady-era Bucs have not hesitated to bolster this position group. Tampa Bay has added Antonio Brown, Julio Jones and Cole Beasley during the superstar quarterback’s tenure. Beasley abruptly reversed course this week, opting to retire. At full strength, the Bucs seemingly would not have a Beckham need. But they have not exactly operated passively at receiver with Brady; the team has also dealt with multiple wideout injuries this season.
Miller concluded his Beckham-related remarks by saying (via Getzenberg, on Twitter), “When it’s time to like get down to business, like we already know where he’s gonna be at. We know. Just in my eyes, I think I know where he’s gonna be at.” Unless Miller can convince his former teammate to trek to Buffalo, this would seem to point to Beckham rejoining the Rams, although Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports believes Miller was suggesting that his longtime friend would indeed be joining the Bills.
The Rams’ re-recruitment of OBJ has bordered on relentless, and with Allen Robinson struggling in his first games with the team and Van Jefferson on IR, Beckham could be a necessary piece for a reigning champion that looked to have its receiver situation sorted out. Though, Jefferson is expected to be back when first eligible. It is likely Beckham will not be ready until at least November, however, with Howe confirming that previously reported timeline remains in place.
Even before Robinson’s early-season woes and Jefferson’s injury, the Rams still courted Beckham. Mutual interest exists regarding a reunion, almost certainly evidenced by Beckham crashing Sean McVay‘s wedding and then being at SoFi Stadium in Week 1 celebrating the Super Bowl LVI banner being raised. Money has been an issue, of course, but the time will soon come for OBJ to make a decision. Teams beyond the NFC South will likely join the Rams in pursuing the talented pass catcher, but the past several months revealed the defending champs will almost certainly stay in the mix until Beckham makes his decision.
I can see Tampa or the Rams. Beckham has always said he’d love to play with Brady
I think it’s Rams as long as they’re humming along like they should be.
They don’t look so good right now. Nobody looks good except for the Bills, Eagles and Chiefs
Except the Rams aren’t “humming along.” The offensive line has been wrecked due to an abundance of injuries, while Stafford has looked off since the beginning of the season
They should be alright by midseason/ postseason. They’re definitely top two in the division likely division winner or wildcard
Packers could use his talents….but not the cancer in the locker room/sidelines that comes with it…..
Wow. I never thought about that. Packers seem to be good without Adams and MVS. Adding OBJ almost guarantees playoffs.
Lul fat chance, about as long as your name!
Ah yes, the guy so cancerous we last saw him *checks notes* catching a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl for the winning team.
Did he catch that TD in the locker room/sidelines? I get your point, but on field is completely different. *checks notes*. OBJ’s ending in Cleveland.
Have you been in any of those locker rooms/sidelines or do you just believe everything that gets leaked by anonymous sources in dysfunctional organizations? Beat writers always describe him as being generally very well liked by teammates. The Giants were just as dysfunctional as soon as he left. With Cleveland, he what, threw Baker Mayfield under the bus? A few months before the Browns threw Mayfield under the bus dramatically worse. Maybe he gets cranky in bad situations. He seems to rub some people the wrong way. He definitely has a hard time staying healthy. There’s no indication he was anything but a positive in LA. Labelling him a cancer seems goofy.
pretty clear at this point OBJ was right about Baker
His tenure with the Giants went smooth as silk, too. The guy is the epitome of being an angel.
I used to be able to make comments like this and have people realize it is done in jest, but I have learned that I can’t do that any longer. So for those very special people….
This post is a joke.
Funny for a player that is such a “cancer” in the locker room an awful lot of players are recruiting him
Tom Brady recruited Antonio Brown. Players are cool so long as these lunatics can help them win. Everything is cool when the nutcase is happy and the team is winning. When things start to go slightly awry, that’s when one of these players loses their mind and train wrecks an organization.
(1) Beckham went back to New York to visit his old friend from the Boat Trip.
(2) NFL clubs can’t afford to keep damaged goods on the active roster. Better that Beckham take 2022 off to rehab the knee.
Will be 30 next month. Coming off back to back seasons with serious left knee injuries. Agree with maybe just take 2022 off. And because of advanced age, will majority of GMs pass on him altogether?
They’re literally fighting over him right now. And you’re trying to suggest he might not find a roster spot…. Lol
With regards to Von Miller, what is the over/under on how many arrests are made at his Halloween party this year?
The Chicago Bears should be all in on OBJ, finally giving Justin Fields a true #1 WR.
He would never go there that team is a dumpster fire.
Realistically it’s a 3 horse race Bills Rams Buccs
Von Miller connection on a championship calibre team in Buffalo
Return back to LA where you won the title last season and played really well with Stafford and Kupp. Star studded team and he’d right in.
Then lastly the Tom Brady connection in Florida on a championship calibre team again in what should be a really good offence.
If OBJ is sticking with his comments on the importance of playing on real grass then the only teams on his top 5 teams to play for list are the Ravens and Chiefs. The bills and Rams have field turf and GB has hybrid grass. So if he was looking at the bills it would seem very hypocritical and it wouldn’t push his message anymore of teams getting real grass to play on.