$90 million wide receiver and former Baltimore Raven, Odell Beckham Jr. may sign with the Kansas City Chiefs this free agency. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Ravens are releasing Beckham with a post-June 1 designation after restructuring his contract in January. The team would only carry $2.76 million in dead money and $8.03 million in dead in 2025. Last offseason, Beckham signed a one-year deal worth up to $18 million.
He notched his 2023 campaign with 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens have been seeing their fair share of departures this offseason, including Geno Stone and linebacker Patrick Queen. Now, it appears that Beckham will appear elsewhere after spending just one season in Baltimore. The team still has a bonafide wideout in Zay Flowers including Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor that are adding to the depth.
Beckham, 30, now enters a point in his career where he’s getting older and he may want to sign with a contender. He was taken with the No. 12 overall pick by the New York Giants in 2014. Beckham spent some time in Cleveland before heading to the Rams to win a Super Bowl despite suffering a season-ending injury during the game. This would lead to his NFL career sitting out for the entire 2022 season before trying to get back to his old self.
He appeared in 14 games for the Ravens and didn’t put up an illustrious, but has shown signs that he still has it. A reset is probably what Beckham needs, but it may need to be with a contender. According to multiple reports, Beckham has been linked to the Chiefs as a potential option.
$90 Million Wide Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. May Sign With Kansas City Chiefs
Could He Be Back in His Prime With the Former Defending Champs?
It’s hard to imagine that the Chiefs had a glaring weakness in their wide receiving corps despite winning a second consecutive Super Bowl. Kansas City let go of Marquez Valdes-Scantling to clear cap space, but it’s also because the team was viewing him as a liability. It shows now after extending Chris Jones to a blockbuster deal a couple of days ago. Drops were an issue last season, but Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice were the lone targets to have consistency all year.
Beckham could provide a veteran presence in the locker room and he could go for cheap on a one-year deal. His value could provide mentorship for the young guys on the roster, but he feels his time in the NFL isn’t done. Beckham expressed that he still has a lot left in the tank and there’s always been a connection between him and Kansas City. However, because of his age and injury status, he may have to settle for short-term offers until he can return to his prime.
Since leaving New York and suffering an injury with the Rams, he was never the “same” superstar that everyone remembers. The Chiefs will likely sign him to a one-year deal like the Ravens did.
Other Potential Fits for Beckham
If the Chiefs view him as a liability, there are still some options out there for him. Of course, the Dallas Cowboys may be in the market for his services after putting Michael Gallup on the trade block. There was one time when the Cowboys were close to trading for Beckham until the Giants sent him to Cleveland. Now, it may be the best time for the team to sign him on a bargain deal.
Beckham could head back to New York but to join forces with Aaron Rodgers on the Jets roster. They could use another weapon alongside Garrett Wilson as Beckham could still be capable of being a WR2. Rodgers isn’t getting any younger and having another veteran like Beckham could boost them to AFC playoff contention.
