NFL insider gives Giants fans a reality check about possible Odell Beckham Jr. reunion

As ESPN's Jordan Raanan shared, New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh said on Saturday that the club may not sign free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. until right before training-camp practices get underway in July. 

For a piece published on Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated touched upon why Beckham seemingly has no other suitors this spring. 

The Odell Beckham Jr. that Giants fans remember no longer exists

"Beckham is heading into what would be his 13th NFL season, had he not sat out the 2022 and '25 seasons," Breer wrote. "Beckham will turn 34 in November. His last 1,000-yard season came in his first season with the Browns in 2019. It was also the last time he even had 600 yards in a season. The last time he had even 20 receiving yards in a game was in December 2023." 

Beckham earned three Pro Bowl nods while playing for the Giants from 2014 through the 2018 season, but injuries and age have seemingly left him a shell of his former great self. That said, a previous story noted that Harbaugh "loves" Beckham from when the wideout played under the coach when the two were with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2023 season.

In that campaign, Beckham tallied 35 receptions on 64 targets for 565 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games. More recently, he recorded nine catches for 55 yards in nine appearances with the Miami Dolphins during the 2024 season. 

Why the Giants are keeping an open mind regarding an Odell Beckham Jr. reunion

"The good news is that he showed a willingness to fit in as a bit player in Miami two years ago, and the last time he had any sort of level of consistent productivity was in Baltimore under John Harbaugh, who’s now, of course, with the Giants," Breer added about Beckham. "So, do I think this can be a really cool story of a guy who just wants to play football again? I do. And I’m all for it becoming that. But let’s not turn it into something it’s not."

One thing Beckham could be with the Giants is an excellent mentor for young wide receiver Malik Nabers and for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. Then again, Harbaugh could ultimately decide that the juice regarding what Beckham could give the Giants on Sundays is not worth the squeeze related to the potential distraction his presence could cause during training camp and the preseason.