We’ll find out here soon whether recently-released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. clears waivers and becomes a free agent.
Teams have until Tuesday afternoon to claim the former Cleveland Browns star off waivers. If that doesn’t happen, he’ll be free to sign with a team of his choosing.
According to this note from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Beckham Jr. has prioritized the Green Bay Packers as a landing spot should he not be claimed ahead of the 4 PM EST deadline on Tuesday.
Whether the Packers have interest in Odell Beckham Jr. remains to be seen. What we do know is that they do need help at wide receiver behind star No. 1 option Davante Adams. Randall Cobb is second among Packers wide receivers with 20 catches through nine games. Allen Lazard comes in at third with just 18 catches.
Despite his struggles with the Browns this season, Beckham would immediately become Aaron Rodgers’ second-favorite target in the passing game. We’re talking about a three-time Pro Bowler who has five career 1,000-yard seasons under his belt.
As for OBJ, any team that claims him off waivers would be on the hook for a $7.25 million cap hit for the remainder of the season. There’s also been talk that his camp would push back against the embattled receiver landing on a non-contending team. That eliminates a ton of options.
We can also take this with a grain of salt given all of the reports surrounding Odell Beckham Jr. since his release from the Browns. He’s been linked to the likes of the New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. At least two of those teams, the Saints and 49ers, have already indicated they don’t have the financial capabilities to pick up OBJ off waivers.
Either way, we’ll hear something bout this within the matter of hours.