Odell Beckham Jr turned his career around in LA last year. Not so much because he had a monster year stat wise (44 receptions, 537 yards, 5 touchdowns), but because of what he did in the post season. He showed he can be a meaningful member on a championship caliber team.
In four post season games last year he finished with 288 total receiving yards, 13.7 yards per catch, and two touchdowns. He averaged 72 yards per game, and was lighting it up during the Super Bowl before he tore his ACL. He may miss half (or most) of the 2022 NFL season, but he showed he can be there for a championship run. These five teams would benefit the most from signing him:
Five: Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City brought in Juju Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling this off-season. However losing Tyreek Hill is near “Davante Adams” level bad. Wide receiver is going to remain a need in Kansas City until someone proves they can be “the guy.”
The Chiefs might not be willing to pull the trigger on a large contract, but they’ll be in the mix. If Odell is not asking for a contract that is going to break the bank and wants a chance at another Super Bowl run, Kansas City is a prime destination.
Four: Philadelphia Eagles
Odell Beckham Jr. has low key been linked to the Eagles for a while now. Darius Slay openly recruited him during the season last year. Philadelphia has a young star in DeVonta Smith, but a huge question-mark at wide receiver after that. Signing OBJ for their young QB Jalen Hurts would provide much needed depth at that position.
The salary cap isn’t necessarily on the Eagles’ side, but if they want to get it done, they will. It will also be interesting to see what the Eagles do in the draft. That could determine who they do/don’t sign.
Three: New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are top heavy at wide receiver. Michael Thomas is set to make his return in 2022 after a few injury plagued years. However after him they don’t have much. They will be a serious contender to take a wide receiver in this year’s draft as well.
The most intriguing part is that OBJ went to Louisiana State University (LSU). Returning home to where he played college on a long term contract could intrigue him. The Saints’ QB situation is a bit up in the air right now (to say the least). That may play a factor in his decision making.
Two: Green Bay Packers
Packers fans may be sick of hearing about this by now, but OBJ to Green Bay isn’t out of the question by any means. The primary scenario I see of OBJ coming to the Packers is a mid season signing. If Odell Beckham Jr is signed before the season I think it will be to either a long term deal or a generous one year deal. Neither of which I see Green Bay doing. However if it gets to the middle of the year and he still isn’t signed, Green Bay would make a ton of sense.
Odell Beckham Jr. was SO close to signing with Green Bay last year. If Green Bay would have shown more interest it may have happened. Would this year be different?
One: New York Jets
The New York Jets are just as wide receiver needy as the Green Bay Packers are. They seem to be linked to every free agent / trade possibility out there. It is almost a lock that they take one in the draft. The Jets have the cap space and the wait time to give Odell the long term contract and let him rehab as long as he needs. The Jets are not banking on winning the Super Bowl in 2022, they have no need to rush him back.
Zach Wilson is just one year into his four year (possibly five) rookie contract. If he develops in to the real deal, gettin enough weapons around him will be important. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before New York makes a splash move at wide receiver. This could be it.
I just don’t see Odell Beckham Jr going back to the Rams after they signed Allen Robinson. It is possible, sure. But I think it’s more likely he goes somewhere else.
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