Browns' Odell Beckham Jr.: 'It was a bittersweet season being on the outside looking in'

The 2020 Cleveland Browns improved to 5-2 on the season with a comeback 37-34 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 25 but lost star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a torn ACL for the remainder of the campaign that same afternoon. 

Beckham missed Cleveland's first trip to the playoffs in 18 years, a postseason victory at the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. All the while, questions arose among analysts and fans about if quarterback Baker Mayfield is a better passer, leader and all-around player without Beckham in the lineup. 

Three days after Cleveland's playoff elimination, the 28-year-old wideout touched upon the campaign via a post shared on his Instagram Story. 

"It was a bittersweet season being on the outside looking in when all I wanted was to be in it with the team," Beckham wrote, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I had to put my pride aside and just watch it unfold. I’m proud and inspired by this squads growth and effort this year."

Beckham's status with the Browns is up in the air and will largely depend on how he recovers from the injury. New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who underwent ACL surgery on Oct. 30, recently told ESPN he and Beckham will spend time rehabilitating together during the offseason. 

The two became close friends as New York teammates during the 2018 season. Big Blue traded Beckham to Cleveland in March 2019.