DECEMBER 18: Adding further detail to Dallas’ ongoing pursuit, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes that Jones has exclusively been the one involved in communication with Beckham throughout the latter stages of this process. The team informed Hilton of their intention of still inking Beckham to a deal despite the addition of the longtime Colt, but he has reciprocated their enthusiasm for a Beckham deal aimed at boosting a postseason run.
DECEMBER 16: After the Odell Beckham Jr. market looked to be slowing, Jerry Jones is accelerating it to the point he expects the eight-year veteran to sign with the Cowboys soon.
Jones had said Beckham playing in the regular season would factor in heavily to a Cowboys signing, but even after OBJ made comments indicating he would prefer to join a team with the intent of preparing to play only in the playoffs, the longtime owner expects this agreement to go through.
“Odell’s going to join us,” Jones said, via USA Today’s Jarrett Bell. “There’s a good chance he will, with the complete goal of getting ready for a playoff game or two, and then I’ll look to the future. But most of it being about now.”
Viewed as the frontrunners ahead of Beckham’s three-visit week, the Cowboys could move to make this long-rumored signing after their Week 15 game against the Jaguars, Bell adds. While Beckham has angled for a multiyear deal, Jones said the focus on a Cowboys agreement would be for the rest of this season.
Beckham’s Cowboys visit produced several headlines centered around his ACL rehab needing more time than expected. Rumors about Beckham not being ready to go until February surfaced. Beckham tweeted a pawn emoji following the visit, and although the same kind of leaks about his health did not surface after his Giants and Bills visits, rumors connecting him to the New York suitors have died down. Conversely, the Cowboys have continued to talk with Beckham and share that these talks are occurring. Jones’ confidence here points to this process being near the finish line, which would bring an end to one of the longest-running free agency sagas in NFL history.
The former Pro Bowler did not work out for the Giants, Bills or Cowboys, but Jones confirmed Beckham has been working out and “is extraordinary.” Following a week and change of uncertainty in the Cowboys-Beckham drama, the tone here seems to have shifted back to lavish praise. Jones and several Cowboys players spent time recruiting the marquee free agent ahead of and during his time in Dallas last week, and though Beckham’s hopes for a deal in the $20MM-AAV range never seemed in step with his situation, a uniquely structured contract may be in the cards.
Beckham is an in-season free agent for the second straight year, and it will be interesting to see how is Cowboys contract — in the event Jones and Co. finalize this accord, at long last — compares to his incentive-laden Rams pact (which ended up paying out $4.75MM) from November 2021. Beckham’s second ACL tear in a 20-month span cost him a lucrative free agency payday this year. The former Giants, Browns and Rams target could attempt to skip this season in an effort to prioritize a 2023 market run — a rumored scenario around the league this week — but Jones believes OBJ will play this season.
Should Beckham sign, the Cowboys will be set to deploy an intriguing receiving corps for the playoffs. The team has CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, the latter having recovered from a December 2021 ACL tear, leading the way. And Dalton Schultz has improved after a slow start. Beckham would also stand to reduce the roles of James Washington, Noah Brown and recent signee T.Y. Hilton. Acclimation issues may emerge, as it is not exactly common for teams to introduce a high-profile skill player into the mix in the playoffs, but Beckham and Dak Prescott navigating those would raise the Cowboys’ offensive ceiling — assuming Beckham is full-go by mid-January.
“I’m hopeful we can get into some important games and have some Deion Sanders-type results,” Jones said. “Could this be possible to have a great player like that get in two or three playoff games and make some significant plays? I think very much so. That’s not an exaggerated thought at all.”
Beckham is coming off a turbulent 2021, which involved him forcing his way out of Cleveland, but the LSU alum’s form during the postseason has driven this market. The former Giants first-rounder topped 100 yards in the Rams’ NFC championship game win and was well on his way to matching that performance in Super Bowl LVI, before his second-quarter injury. We may soon finally see how Beckham looks coming off his second major knee setback.
Not going to matter, cowboys will get knocked out in 1st round!
Not a Dallas fan but they won’t be getting knocked out by an NFC south team. Their first frond opponent.
Is it just me or does Jones look like Yoda’s twin brother in that picture.
Only Jerry’s ego would sign OBJ.
Jerra “ Ok I gave away Amari , that was brilliant on my behalf now we are going after has been OBJ. I am by far the smartest person on earth.”
It’s gotta be weird to work for the Cowboys. They clearly have some great football people working in that building, with all the talent they’ve accumulated, but the “GM” is also the ego monster team owner, who’s still trying to look smarter than Jimmy Johnson, and you never know what nonsense he’ll say into a live mic.
And now, apparently, he thinks he’s a doctor.
At least the rumors of OBJ and GB being linked appear to be over.
Last week he was trashing Beckham. Now? The man is an epic gasbag.
Lowkey want him to lowball OBJ so he declines to sign. That would be amusing.
They are going to get him and win the SB
If the Cowboys win the Super Bowl (I don’t think they will) it won’t be because of OBJ.
Oh I agree but I think the talent on this team will be hard to shut down.
They have talent but they’re the third best team at best in the NFC. Plus the d they go deep they’ll likely have to do it on the road.
Yea good luck with Philly Dallas couldn’t beat the Jags
It doesn’t seem that hard in the second half. Seems like a few good meltdowns in the third and fourth. Any meltdown is a good meltdown with South Americas team.
Naw I think 49ers finally win the SB.
Yawn
F^*% Dallas
You’re trying too hard
What kind of narcotics are they adding to Jerry’s egg nog this holiday season?
A lil bit of Fentanyl w/ benzos mixed in for good measure.
This is what is keeping Jerry alive
“OBJ is looking for a multi-year deal…” Yeah I’m looking for a date with Kate Upton and that also has a flying pigs’ butthole of a chance of happening.
Jerry is clearly looking at a marketing opportunity and a way to keep the Cowboys in the news cycle.
Jerry is a complete idiot.
What a whole bunch of BULLCRAP! The Cowboys should’ve figured out a way to keep Amari Cooper. All Cooper did was produce. Jerry Jones is such a dummy. Just think how many Super Bowls Jimmy Johnson could’ve won for the Cowboys, probably another 2 or 3. But no Jones knows it all and ran him off. No Super Bowls since the team Johnson put together. Smdh
This whole pursuit is hilarious and won’t end well. Jerry and the boys deserve all they get from this misguided marriage.
Jerry promises not to stand in the doorway to prevent him from entering the building.
Offers full access to team water fountains.
He’s come a long way.
The world is forever changing. Don’t be one of those who are forever stuck in the past – as it makes you look just as small.
…to racists who want to quietly excuse other racists.
Can live with that.
Thanks for the confirmation. One can only hope you are judged similarly for your own prior transgressions.
Sounds good.
But, note that you want me to be judged for my prior trangressions, but NOT Jerry Jones. We need to leave poor Jurry alone, I guess.
Wonder why that might be. Oh, wait, no, I already spelled it out. Right.
Thanks for the confirmation.
I dislike Jerry as much as anyone. That picture of him does not prove he is a racist. There were I bet a bunch more kids out of the picture looking on. He wasn’t shouting carrying a sign or wearing a hood. To say he is racist from that pic is idiotic. He might be a full blown KKK member but this pic proves nothing.
Plenty of people dislike Jerry enough to not give him the benefit of the doubt on each and every issue after the trail of evidence he’s left his entire life.
“I have a lot of money, and if I want to be stupid then I’m going to be stupid.”
-Jerry Jones
Beckham is a master self-promoter. Jerry is stupid and pompous enough to fall for it. In the end the Cowboys will be playoff punchlines.
“Multi year contract” for OBJ should make Pollard & Shultz tell their agents to look for new 2023 teams.
Old fool
After just losing to the Jaguars, maybe Jerry will change his mind again.
That pick 6 just added a few dollars to Odell’s deal.
Multi-year contract is just throwing money and salary cap away. Per game pay for playoffs might be worth it. If the Cowboys are one and done, Beckham doesn’t collect much. If the Cowboys win a Super Bowl with Beckham on the team, then Beckham makes a few million and everyone wins (except Dallas Cowboys anti-fans).