Throughout 2022, a recurring storyline around the league was the future of Odell Beckham Jr. The former Pro Bowl wideout’s free agent period lasted all the way into the offseason, but he ultimately signed with the Ravens.
That one-year deal includes $15M in guaranteed money — a far higher figure than what any team appeared willing to pay. The 30-year-old will receive plenty of attention given the lucrative nature of his pact and the injury concerns which surround him. There will also be questions raised, however, regarding his long-term future in Baltimore of anywhere else in the NFL.
“I’m thinking like this is my last year,” Beckham said in an interview with The Athletic’s Dan Pompei. “I’m going to give it my all this year. And then if something happens after that, we can go from there.”
The three-time Pro Bowler missed the entire 2022 season while rehabbing an ACL tear he suffered during the Rams’ Super Bowl victory. Beckham drew interest from a number of suitors, though it seemed inevitable for much of the year that he would re-sign in Los Angeles.
A Cowboys deal was mentioned frequently by Jerry Jones, and a reunion with the Giants was on the latter team’s radar. Pompei adds that the Chiefs and Bills — teams which were also named early and often as DeAndre Hopkins suitors — contacted Beckham.
The LSU alum admitted that he was “resistant” at first to the idea of signing in Baltimore. The Ravens certainly do not have a sterling track record with respect to receiver production and passing volume on offense, though many of the team’s most successful wideouts have been 30-something veterans acquired for the short term.
Lobbying from quarterback Lamar Jackson helped convince Beckham to join what has become a much different looking Ravens receiving corps this offseason.
As Pompei notes, owner Steve Bisciotti also took personal interest in recruiting Beckham. His efforts helped finalize a deal which will allow the former Rookie of the Year to attempt to complete a first full season since 2019.
That year also represents the last time he reached 1,000 yards, and a return to that form (or anything near it) would help give Baltimore a veteran pass-catching presence as the team leans on top 2021 selection Rashod Bateman and first-round rookie Zay Flowers at the WR position.
A strong showing would, of course, also boost Beckham’s free agent market if he decides to continue his career. Multi-year offers could come his way depending on his 2023 performance, but for now his Baltimore tenure could represent the final chapter of his eight-year NFL run.
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