Free agency is right around the corner, and there is a good chance that Odell Beckham will wind up with yet another new team. After sitting out the 2022 season while recovering from an ACL injury, the three-time Pro Bowler spent the 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens.
After a slow start to the season, the wideout started to get up to speed in the second half of the season. While he never recaptured his Giants form, Odell Beckham enters free agency on the heels of a 35-catch, 565-yard season. Ultimately, he’s done enough to prove that he can still be a meaningful part of a passing attack, and that carries plenty of value.
With Odell Beckham set to hit free agency, former Washington quarterback turned NFL analyst Robert Griffin III made his pitch for the Chiefs to sign the impending free agent.
The @chiefs SHOULD SIGN Odell Beckham Jr. Last year he proved he is STILL DYNAMIC after being 8th in the NFL averaging 16.1 yards per catch. The @Chiefs struggled with drops last year, but @obj had the lowest drop rate of his career with 1 drop on 64 targets (1.6%). Chief him. pic.twitter.com/QpP1xSnnVP
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 23, 2024
RG3: Chiefs Should Sign Odell Beckham In Free Agency
Before we talk about Odell Beckham joining the Chiefs in free agency, we first need to discuss if the Ravens would let him go in the first place. At this point last year, Baltimore was desperate for wide receiver talent and blatantly overpaid for Beckham. The team won’t be so desperate this time around following the breakout of Zay Flowers, so Beckham will likely see a bit of a pay decrease in 2024, regardless of where he signs.
Even if the Ravens wanted to give Odell Beckham a massive contract in free agency, they probably wouldn’t be able to do it. Several key members of their core are set to hit the open market, including but not limited to Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy, Kevin Zeitler, Geno Stone, and Patrick Queen. Put simply, this team does not have enough money to bring everyone back, and Beckham might be the odd man out.
Of course, Baltimore will also want to add talent as well. The Ravens are the betting favorites to sign Derrick Henry, and he’ll cost a pretty penny. With plenty of talent in the 2024 NFL Draft, nobody should be surprised if the Ravens let Odell Beckham walk in free agency and just draft someone in the first three rounds of the draft.
Fit With the Chiefs
So, if Odell Beckham leaves the Ravens in free agency, would he be a good fit with the Chiefs? First and foremost, Kansas City has a clear need for some more playmakers. Travis Kelce found the Fountain of Youth for the Chiefs playoff run, but he looked like he was slowing down in the regular season. As for the receivers themselves, Rashee Rice looks like a legitimate playmaker, but the rest of the depth chart leaves a lot to be desired.
Right now, the Chiefs have $28.28 million in available cap space, per Spotrac. While they could entertain trading for Tee Higgins, the fact of the matter is that this team is probably going to look for a more cost-effective receiver. With Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed both set to break the bank, the Chiefs might have to sign someone like Odell Beckham in free agency to be the third option in this passing attack.
Nobody is saying that the present-day version of Beckham is as good as guys like Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman, or Mike Evans. However, there is a case to be made that he’s one of the best mid-tier options available. If the Chiefs are choosing between him and guys like Gabriel Davis and Curtis Samuel, then they might go with the proven veteran.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
