The Baltimore Ravens signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year contract on April 13, 2023. Both the Ravens and Beckham Jr. are taking a flyer on one another, hence the short-term agreement. If things work out in Baltimore this season, Beckham Jr. is sure to receive a long-term deal to stay with the Ravens.
The ultra-talented receiver is looking for a stable organization to call home and the Ravens are looking for a consistent wide receiver to aid quarterback Lamar Jackson in getting over the hump. Beckham Jr. spent time with the Giants, Browns, and Rams, but the Ravens will be the best fit of his career.
In 2021, OBJ played in six games with the Cleveland Browns before being released. After signing with the Los Angeles Rams, Beckham Jr. achieved the greatest feat of his career. Not only did he catch a touchdown in Superbowl LVI, he walked away with a Superbowl ring. He signed with the sole intention of helping the Rams make a postseason run, so Los Angeles never felt like home.
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Odell Beckham, Baltimore Ravens Are Perfect For Each Other
New York Giants (2014-2018)
The New York Giants selected Odell Beckham Jr. with the 12th pick of the 2014 NFL draft. Giants quarterback Eli Manning needed help, and Beckham Jr. brought an immediate spark to the team. In 2014, he set multiple NFL and franchise rookie records. As a rookie, the receiver posted NFL rookie highs in all major receiving categories with 91 receptions, 1,305 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Averaging a league-high 108.8 receiving yards per game, it ranked as the best rookie average in NFL single-season history. Beckham Jr. earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year while also becoming the first rookie receiver in franchise history selected to the Pro Bowl. In New York, he added to his resume, making the Pro Bowl and All-Pro list twice in four years; Not to mention completing the best catch in NFL history.
Although Beckham Jr. proved his superstardom in New York, morale was not high. Injury issues aside, he never felt like he had a chance to win with the Giants. Public comments on Eli Manning’s abilities, or lack thereof, caused a stir in the organization.
“How come we can’t throw the ball for more than 20 yards? How come we don’t attempt or try to throw the ball for more than 20 yards?” said an agitated Beckham Jr. during media availability. “We know Eli is not going to run it. Can he still throw it? Yeah. It’s cool catching it shallow and trying to take it, but I want to go over the top of somebody.”
Shortly after these comments, he signed a five-year $95M deal with the Giants and was traded just six months later.
Odell Beckham and Lil Wayne on if Giants QB Eli Manning can still get Odell the ball pic.twitter.com/1Yo5BTC7N5
— Riverside Hip-hop (@RiversideHipHop) October 8, 2018
Cleveland Brown (2019-2021)/Los Angeles Rams (2021)
Cleveland Browns
On March 13, 2019, the New York Giants traded Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns. Sent to help out quarterback Baker Mayfield, the former Giant thought he found a partner in crime. In Beckham Jr.’s first season with the Browns, he posted 1,035 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 16 games. Things were looking up for Cleveland as he teamed with running mate Jarvis Landry and became the first wide receiver duo in Browns history to each tally 1,000+ receiving yards in a season.
After registering 319 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in 2020, Beckham Jr. suffered a torn ACL which ended his season. Upon returning to the Browns in 2021, things were rocky between him and Mayfield. What was once viewed as a fairytale had quickly become a nightmare. Unsure where it began, Beckham Jr. and Mayfield had become public enemies. In an attempt to absolve Beckham Jr. from blame, Odell Beckham Sr. (father of OBJ) posted a video to social media showcasing Mayfield’s in-game mistakes, accelerating his son’s release from Cleveland.
Los Angeles Rams
In week 10 of the 2021 NFL season, Beckham Jr. signed with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams signed Beckham Jr. for the remainder of the season to bolster an oft-injured receiving core. Beckham Jr. looked rejuvenated as a member of the Rams and quickly reminded people of his prior greatness. In Los Angeles, Beckham Jr. caught his first playoff touchdown in a Wild Card game against the Arizona Cardinals, giving him a taste of postseason success. In the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Beckham Jr. caught for 113 yards, marking his first 100-yard playoff performance. As the Rams advanced to the Superbowl, Beckham Jr. was a focal point. In the first half of Superbowl LVI, Beckham Jr. posted 52 receiving yards and a touchdown before suffering an ACL injury. Los Angeles went on to win the Superbowl without Beckham Jr., but his first-half performance set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Baltimore Ravens (2023)
The Baltimore Ravens signed Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year deal this offseason. Last season, he was not on an NFL roster while recovering from an ACL injury suffered in Super Bowl LVI. Fully recovered from the injury, he is ready to pick up where he left off in 2021.
In 2023, Beckham Jr. will experience the best fit of his NFL career with the Ravens. Lamar Jackson is by far the best quarterback that he’s played with. Jackson is a former NFL MVP who is still in the prime of his career.
In the past, Beckham Jr. has been expected to create space on every down. No matter the coverage, quarterbacks would force-feed him. Now with a Ravens supporting cast including receivers Nelson Agholor, Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, and electric rookie Zay Flowers, he will enjoy much more open field. The threat of an elite scrambling quarterback will also lead to defenses losing their principles, setting up Beckham Jr. for big gains.
The truth is, the only time Beckham Jr. played on a Superbowl-caliber team, he won a ring. He will experience a similar situation in Baltimore as he did in Los Angeles, except as the first option. A plethora of receivers, good running backs, and a superstar quarterback make the Ravens the best fit of Beckham Jr.’s career.
😮 @obj pic.twitter.com/lkRWdT9TWt
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 29, 2023
Main Photo: Geoff Burke – USA Today Sports
