The New York Giants spent the offseason attempting to upgrade their roster so that they can build off their encouraging 2025 campaign. That resulted in the front office deciding to reunite with veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency, as he is looking to make an NFL comeback after sitting out all of last season.
Beckham last took the field for the Miami Dolphins in 2024, but he has remained intent on proving that he can still play at a high level in the NFL. A roster spot is not guaranteed for Beckham at this stage of the game, but he’s taking it all in stride, revealing that he is taking inspiration from the Philadelphia 76ers‘ legendary forward LeBron James in the NBA as he prepares for the new season.
Odell Beckham Jr. Compares Himself to LeBron James
He cited LeBron James as a comparison for being able to maintain a high level of play.
Beckham began his career with the Giants after being selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and he immediately turned himself into a star, rattling off Pro Bowl campaigns in each of his first three seasons. As time went on, though, injuries began to take their toll on Beckham, and some drama behind the scenes with New York led to him getting traded to the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2019 campaign.
After two-and-a-half seasons with Cleveland, things went south again for Beckham, but he ended up latching on with the Los Angeles Rams midway through the 2021 campaign, helping them win a Super Bowl. In the big game, though, Beckham suffered a torn ACL that led to him missing the entire year in 2022. He returned in 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens before spending nine games with the Dolphins in 2024.
Last season, Beckham didn’t sign with a new team, instead opting to get himself back in shape for a comeback attempt in 2026. The Giants, looking to insulate their offense for quarterback Jaxson Dart, decided to take a flier on him in free agency. Early in training camp, Beckham has been a standout performer, and he revealed he’s taking inspiration from James when it comes to his quest to prove he can still perform at a high level late in his career.
“I’m just trying to be present each and every day, and prove to myself that I am who I know I am,” Beckham recently said when speaking to reporters. “Everybody likes to talk about, ‘Is he going to be this, that?’ And I’m like, ‘LeBron James used to take off before the free throw line, and now if he’s taking off with his foot right in front of it. He’s still got a different game, but he’s still playing at a high level.’ I believe that I can play at a high level.”
Could Odell Beckham Jr. Actually Make the Giants Roster?
GettyWide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants warms up before taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Despite his impressive start to training camp, it still isn’t a guarantee that Beckham will make the team’s roster. Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, and Darnell Mooney are leading the way at this spot, with Calvin Austin III and third-round rookie Malachi Fields also likely to make the roster out of camp. That leaves Beckham competing with the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Isaiah Hodgins, Braxton Berrios, and Jalin Hyatt for what could only be one roster spot.
If Nabers isn’t healthy by the time Week 1 rolls around, that could open up another spot at this position, but New York is likely going to have to make some tough decisions at wide receiver before the regular season gets underway. Beckham has shown flashes of his old self so far, but whether or not it will be enough for him to find his way onto the 53-man roster is still up in the air.
Odell Beckham Jr. Sends Strong LeBron James Message on Giants Comeback Attempt