Getty New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh could use Odell Beckham Jr. as part of the Jets' receiving corps.
Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. won the first Super Bowl of his eight-year career when the Los Angeles Ram beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 on February 13. Now, as the NFL’s offseason officially begins, one writer has listed the New York Jets as a potential landing spot for Beckham.
Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Network called the Jets one of four teams who would be good fits for Beckham in 2022. Beckham, 29, is expected to become a free agent in March, when the new league year begins, and if he reaches the open market, he likely will have a bevy of suitors lining up to add him.
“While the situation in Cleveland may not all have been due to [the] star WR, it does serve as a cautionary tale,” Rolfe wrote in a column published February 13. “If Beckham gets disgruntled, not having a strong and established leader in the locker room could be a concern.”
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A Potential Return to the Big Apple
Beckham caught two passes for 52 yards including the first touchdown of the Super Bowl. He likely would’ve had further impact on the game if it weren’t for a knee injury he suffered during the first half. On February 14, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Beckham is believed to have torn his ACL.
YOU’RE A #SUPERBOWL CHAMPION, @OBJ!
When the Cleveland Browns released Beckham in November, some wondered whether Beckham had any gas left in the tank.
Beckham more than answered those questions with a spectacular run in eight games with the Rams. He had as many receiving touchdowns with Los Angeles (seven) as he had during his entire tenure with Cleveland, Field Yates of ESPN tweeted on February 13.
His greatest production came during the first three of his five seasons as a member of the New York Giants.
OBJ’S FIRST CATCH IS A TOUCHDOWN. #RamsHouse @OBJ
📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: t.co/K02y40b5Nu
“The potential reward if the Jets get the version we have seen of Beckham recently is sky-high,” Rolfe wrote. “A trio of Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, and Beckham would give Zach Wilson a tremendous supporting cast to work with in 2022. The Jets have other needs this offseason, but providing more support for Wilson has to be a priority. It would be a risky move, but it has the potential to be very successful for the Jets.”
During his eight years in the pros, Beckham has put up video game numbers:
- Five 1,000-yard receiving seasons
- 56 touchdowns
- 531 receptions
- 7,367 receiving yards
Odell Beckham, Jr. now has as many receiving touchdowns with the Rams (7) as he did during his entire tenure with the Browns.
Extremely Risky Proposition
Of course, a move of this magnitude wouldn’t come without its fair share of risk.
For one, there is the potential ACL injury suffered during the Super Bowl. If confirmed, it would be the second torn ACL of his career.
He also has had a history of issues both on and off the field that could cause some teams to think twice about adding him to their locker room.
If you can see past both of those items then the last remaining hurdle will be the moolah it will require to obtain his services.
According to Spotrac’s market value (which is a projection of what a player could command), OBJ is projected to land a deal that pays him $13.1 million annually on a multi-year deal. That would place the veteran 18th among the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
There is no question that Beckham is one of the most talented wideouts in the league. He is a proven and bonafide No. 1 wide receiver and every time the ball is in his hands, OBJ could take it to the house.
Adding a dynamic weapon like that to a Jets offense that has Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Michael Carter, and a developing Zach Wilson is extremely tantalizing.
Beckham is 29 years old and there is a strong belief that his best football is still in front of him. While some may question OBJ’s past, you can’t question his talent or passion for the game of football.
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