Rams' Odell Beckham Jr. almost signed with Patriots after departure from Browns?

Shortly after the Cleveland Browns agreed to part ways with unsettled wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in early November, the three-time Pro Bowl selection was linked with a handful of clubs, including a New England Patriots side that was pursuing a playoff berth with Mac Jones serving as a rookie starting quarterback. 

Beckham ultimately put pen to paper on a contract with the Los Angeles Rams, and that decision worked out rather well for all involved considering the 29-year-old is preparing to face the defense of the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday. Per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Beckham spoke during Monday's media availability about how close he was to playing for New England coach Bill Belichick this fall. 

"Very. Very, very, very," he responded. 

"I don’t think I joked with (Belichick) on the phone, but I was (feeling) like, 'You know, if this was three years ago, it would have been ideal. You know? Because Tom (Brady), he’s one of my favorites." 

Beckham's move to the Rams occurred a couple of months before Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown seemingly quit the team during an early January game at the New York Jets. While OBJ potentially could've helped quarterback Tom Brady extend his career by maybe a game or two, he added during Monday's comments he's happy where he landed. 

"I felt like this was right," Beckham said of signing with the Rams. "And coach (Sean) McVay, I’ve had a relationship with him for years. I joked with big (Rams offensive tackle Andrew) Whitworth that this was (done) years ago." 

Beckham largely looked like the star of old when he recorded nine receptions for 113 yards in the NFC Championship Game win over the San Francisco 49ers two Sundays ago. He could earn Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors with a repeat performance against the Bengals this weekend.