Giants' Harbaugh offers Beckham update after preseason debut

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Giants' John Harbaugh offers Odell Beckham Jr. update after preseason debut

By Ernesto Cova | Last updated Aug 16, 2026 12:50 PM ET

The New York Giants have a new coaching staff and, for the first time in a while, they seem to have enough weapons for their quarterback.

That's why a former franchise great like Odell Beckham Jr. will have to fight for a roster spot. He was out there in the team's 13-10 preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, hauling in two of three targets for six yards.

Considering that, head coach John Harbaugh had nothing but praise for the effort he's put in, though he also acknowledged that the WR could've done some things better.

John Harbaugh won't make any promises about Odell Beckham Jr.

"I love Odell. What he's doing, what he's fighting for, I don't know how it's going to turn out," Harbaugh said. "It's gonna turn out the way it turns out, based on what happens."

"I love Odell. What he's doing, what he's fighting for, I don't know how it's going to turn out"

John Harbaugh says he's "really proud" of Odell Beckham Jr. and talks about how he looked on the field today: pic.twitter.com/qPkhhWQu3D
— SNY Giants (@SNYGiants) August 15, 2026

It doesn't sound like Harbaugh is ready to make any promises regarding Beckham's chances of making the roster. In the meantime, the former first-round pick is just enjoying the ride and cherishing every moment after being away from the game last season.

"I feel good being out there," Beckham said postgame. "I feel, you know, when you see the tape or at practice, I'm getting open. But at the end of the day, a receiver always talks about this as the most selfless position on the field."

Expecting Beckham to be the same guy at this point in his career and after so many injuries isn't realistic. That said, all teams can benefit from a veteran mentor in the locker room. After the way things ended between him and the Giants, it would be nice to see them go full circle and watch him finish his career where it started.

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto is a bilingual (English-Spanish) sports writer with over eight years of experience covering major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Ernesto’s work focuses on providing insightful, up-to-date coverage of sports, blending his expertise in sports psychology with a passion for analyzing player performance, team dynamics, and trade developments across various sports leagues

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