Ravens GM addresses Odell Beckham Jr. health concerns

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has done all he can to assure fans wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will be 100% back to his old, superstar self this September. 

"We saw everything we needed to see, knowing that it’s going to just improve," DeCosta said of Beckham's health during a news conference, as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "When a guy has a serious injury, in general, it only gets better. It may take time. Sometimes it takes longer, but it only gets better. What we saw was extremely encouraging and I can’t wait to see the progression from March to April to May to September. That’s probably the thing that we’re most excited about." 

As Jamison Hensley of ESPN explained, the Ravens signed Beckham to a one-year, $15M contract even though the 30-year-old hasn't played since he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Super Bowl LVI in February 2022. Beckham tore the ACL in that same knee while with the Cleveland Browns in October 2020.

Beckham met with several clubs this past fall but remained a free agent through the playoffs and into spring. It was reported in December that the Dallas Cowboys had "concerns" after Beckham underwent a physical with them at that time, but the three-time Pro Bowl selection apparently impressed onlookers during a March workout.

"We’re getting somebody who is ready to explode again," DeCosta added. "And he’s in the right environment with the right quarterback, with the right team, in the right city. It’s the perfect player at the perfect time." 

Of course, DeCosta is merely hoping he's correct about the "right quarterback" part of the quote. Baltimore held onto the rights for Lamar Jackson via the non-exclusive franchise tag last month, but there's currently no indication the two sides are close to putting pen to paper on a deal. It was made clear Thursday that Beckham was given no assurances about Jackson before the receiver joined Baltimore. 

"Lamar is in our plans," DeCosta insisted. "We're hopeful to still get a long-term deal. He's the right player for this team."