Jason Burgos
Odell Beckham Jr. is officially now a member of the Baltimore Ravens roster, and he really is hoping Lamar Jackson is tossing him passes in 2023.
This has been a weird off-season for the Baltimore Ravens. They ended the seasons quicker than they had hoped after being eliminated in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs because superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson was unable to suit up. And things have only gotten more frustrating since then.
Related: NFL executive rips Ravens for handling of Lamar Jackson contract situation
The entire offseason has been dominated by the ongoing saga of the gifted QB and the organization trying to hammer out a new long-term pact but not having much progress. The team has also done little in terms of notable acquisitions to switch up the negative narrative. However, that all changed this past weekend.
Lamar Jackson stats (2022): 3,006 total yards, 20 TD, 7 INT, 91.91 rating
The Ravens made their biggest splash of the spring when they came to terms on a contract with free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The signing is notable because the team has badly needed WR1-level talent for quite some time. What made it all the more interesting is that despite the issue between Lamar Jackson and the team, the two-time Pro Bowler actually helped to recruit Beckham Jr. to Baltimore.
It is still unclear if Jackson will be in a Ravens uniform next season, but there is a belief that the addition of Beckham Jr. has strengthened that possibility. Well, now that he is officially on the team, the three-time Pro Bowler is doing what he can to make sure the former NFL MVP is on the roster in 2023.
During his Thursday introductory press conference, the former Rams, Browns, and Giants talent made a public pitch to the long-time Ravens signal-caller. “Lamar if you watching, I would love to get to work with you,” Beckham Jr. said with a smile and laugh.
While Lamar Jackson and the team still seem far apart on a contract, finally having a star-level receiver on the roster should certainly make playing for at least one more season in Baltimore a lot more appealing for the 26-year-old. Yey, after coming off his second ACL surgery, there also has to be some doubt if Beckham Jr. can return to the elite form he showed with the Rams two years ago.
