New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

HC Sean Payton: Saints were 'close' to signing Odell Beckham Jr.

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 11/18/21

Odell Beckham Jr. had a lackluster debut with the Los Angeles Rams in the team's Week 10 "Monday Night Football" loss to the San Francisco 49ers, finishing with two receptions for 18 yards while playing just 15 offensive snaps.

Before OBJ chose to sign with the Rams, there was at least one other team that was close to bringing in the wideout.

"I would say close. The question was all along if L.A. had an opportunity that's where he was going to go. I would say [Los Angeles wasn't involved] until mid-way through the process." - Sean Payton on how close Saints were to signing Odell Beckham on @dpshow
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) November 18, 2021

Beckham Jr. was released by the Cleveland Browns in early November and signed with the Rams on Nov. 11. The 29-year-old put together a mostly stellar five-year career with the New York Giants, which included an AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2014 and Pro Bowl nods in each of his first three seasons. In 59 career regular-season games with New York, the star wide receiver had 390 receptions for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns.

OBJ was traded to the Browns on March 13, 2019, for Jabril Peppers, as well as 2019 first- and third-round picks. Beckham Jr. ended his Cleveland career with 114 receptions, 1,586 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 29 games.

Beckham Jr. and the Rams are on a bye in Week 11 and will play against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 28.

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