Browns GM: It's 'unfortunate' Odell Beckham Jr. didn't work out in Cleveland

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski admitted earlier on Friday he felt "disappointed" he didn't do enough to keep wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. happy and involved in the offense ahead of Friday's announcement that the two entities will part ways. 

According to Scott Patsko of Cleveland.com, Browns general manager and executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry confirmed later in the day the paperwork for that transaction will officially be "finalized in the next few days." Berry also expressed regret over how the relationship between player and club ended. 

"It is unfortunate, but at the same time, there are just some situations in the NFL where things just do not quite work out," Berry explained. "That being said, I do want to say that Odell, he is a good person who brought really a special energy in the building and developed a lot of really strong relationships with teammates, staff members and coaches. We really do want all parties to kind of emerge from this successfully. With that being said, there are times in business partnerships where things do not just work out, and that is where we are today. Those decisions are incredibly difficult, but at the end of the day, it was the decision I felt was appropriate for our team."

Drama regarding Beckham's status with the Browns arose this week after his father used social media posts, specifically a video, to blame quarterback Baker Mayfield for a perceived lack of chemistry between the two players. Multiple reports have since said Beckham requested a trade away from the Browns last offseason when he was recovering from a torn ACL. 

"To be honest, this really is not about the video," Berry said. "It is really about a series of discussions, certainly over the last week but even spanning back longer than that. At times, I do think that whether you want to call it a level of frustration that exists that just really just makes it difficult to have a productive reconciliation." 

Berry added that he spoke with Beckham during the week but wouldn't divulge any specifics about those conversations. The executive also poured cold water over the idea that the locker room is split between those who support Mayfield and those who support OBJ. 

"I think we have a strong locker room full of a number of professionals," Berry said. "I know that their focus is on beating the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday. Speaking realistically, any decision like this, the reality of it is you are not necessarily going to get consensus anywhere. I think people realize that and acknowledge that, but again at the end of the day, some things do not work out, and my job is to make sure that I make the decisions that I think are in the best interest of the team." 

Beckham is subject to waivers but could potentially sign with any team if he goes unclaimed. Berry suggested he has no preference for where Beckham lands when all is said and done. 

"We are going to face talented guys every week," Berry commented. "The reality is once all of that is finalized, we wish him success, and we are going to focus on our next opponent."