What's next for Odell Beckham Jr.? Here's 5 options for the veteran superstar, free agent
Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is still looking for a new home.
The 31-year-old wide receiver posted a farewell message to the Ravens after just one subdued season in Baltimore.
"I appreciate the Flock more than yall could EVER imagine," Beckham's Instagram post reads. "Did everything I could wit the opportunities I had. Wish I got to do it big for yall 💍."
Beckham’s played for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Ravens during an NFL career that began in 2014. He has 566 catches, 7,932 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns in 110 career regular-season games.
Beckham is listed in USA TODAY Sports’ top 20 free agents available. According to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, Beckham is scheduled to visit the Miami Dolphins Thursday.
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Is Miami a good fit for Beckham? USA TODAY Sports examines the top five landing spots for Beckham:
New York Giants
Yes, a reunion in the Big Apple. The Giants have a need at wide receiver and could use a spark on offense after the departure of running back Saquon Barkley in free agency.
In 2016 in a Giants uniform, Beckham became the fastest player in NFL history to reach both 200 career receptions and 4,000 career receiving yards.
The Giants won’t be receiving the 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and three-time Pro Bowl version of Beckham. However, Beckham would bring a little excitement to a dull offense and some nostalgia to the Giants fan base.
The Giants haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver in a season since Beckham in 2018.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers lost out on the Mike Williams sweepstakes. Could they pivot to Beckham?
Beckham doesn’t have the big catch radius or downfield ability of Williams, but he does have reliable hands and would bring veteran experience to a rather young Pittsburgh receiving corps.
New Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson thrives during oft-script plays. Wilson’s style would benefit Beckham at this point of his career. Beckham knows how to get open, especially when plays break down.
Beckham would be a good complement to the Steelers’ top receiver, George Pickens.
Kansas City Chiefs
The opportunity to play with the best quarterback in the NFL is attractive for any receiver.
As a member of the Chiefs, Beckham would be able to play loose and free with very little pressure.
Patrick Mahomes’ top targets are tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Rashee Rice and likely newly-acquired wideout Marquise Brown. Beckham might be the fourth pass-catching option in Kansas City.
Mahomes picked teams apart with short and intermediate passes on the way to a third Super Bowl title last season. Beckham is best running short and intermediate routes.
Los Angeles Rams
In 2021 with the Rams, Beckham had some vintage moments during the team’s Super Bowl run. He produced 21 catches, 288 yards and two touchdowns in four postseason games with the Rams. He had the first touchdown in Super Bowl 56 and was on his way to a big game until a devastating knee injury.
Rams coach Sean McVay always spoke fondly of Beckham, and the door could be open for him to return to Los Angeles as a third receiving option behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
"I love Odell. He sure means a lot to me. It was a blessing to be able to coach him, and he's as fun a guy as there is. He's so talented. He works hard. He's a great teammate,” McVay said of Beckham last season. "The ways that he elevated our program and what he meant to our team.”
Miami Dolphins
Beckham reportedly visited the Dolphins Thursday, so there’s interest on both sides.
Miami is led by speedsters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the outside, but they don’t have a reliable receiver who runs underneath routes. That could be Beckham’s potential role as the Dolphins third wideout.
Hill had 119 catches and Waddle caught 72 balls in 2023. Miami’s third leading wide receiver Braxton Berrios had just 27 catches.
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