We’ve officially reached the NFL offseason, which for many players means they will be changing teams once free agency opens on March 15. For others, like Odell Beckham Jr. and Derek Carr, they can sign with a team right now, meaning they don’t have to wait until the market is saturated with several others who play the same position.
Carr is taking visits, but we haven’t heard anything from Beckham since December, when the 30-year-old receiver was flirting with several teams. Ultimately, Beckham didn’t sign a contract. Whether that was so he could continue focusing on his rehab and recovery from his ACL surgery, or if it was the teams that preferred to stick with their existing playmakers is unknown.
But Beckham is fully expected to sign a contract at some point this offseason. The biggest questions are, with who, and will the talented receiver try and beat the rush, or will he wait out the market, trying to land with the team that offers the best opportunity? We took a crack at identifying five destinations for OBJ this offseason.
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OBJ trades in his LSU purple and gold for Minnesota Vikings threads
A team that may not be at the top of Beckham’s wish list, the Minnesota Vikings could be a sleeper candidate to sign the former LSU Tigers star. Obviously, the Vikes have one of, if not the best receiver in football, with Justin Jefferson, who also thrived at LSU. They also have three others on the roster who attended the same college as Beckham Jr., and for whatever reason, this alumni likes to stick together more often than many other programs.
But that’s not all, Beckham also worked under head coach Kevin O’Connell with the Rams, when KOC was the team’s offensive coordinator, meaning he got to work directly with OBJ. There’s already a familiarity here, and the offense likely would be a quick study for the nine-year pro.
- Odell Beckham Jr. stats with Rams: 48 receptions, 593 receiving yards, 7 TD catches
For Beckham, he’d get to resume his career in a place where he definitely wouldn’t face double coverage, with teams focusing on Jefferson and even Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson instead. Plus, the Vikings’ need for another pass-catcher could grow this offseason, depending on the status of Adam Thielen, who has a $19.9 million cap number for 2023. In the end, Beckham could cost the Vikings less, without having to go through normal growing pains commonly associated with developing a young receiver. Yet, Beckham can likely earn a larger target share elsewhere.
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Beckham stays in Cali with Los Angeles Chargers
If Beckham enjoyed his time in California with the Rams, how about staying in-state, and joining the Los Angeles Chargers? If he still has a place in L.A., a transition to the Chargers would be fairly smooth. Topping it all off, Beckham would even still be playing on the same home field, since the Rams and Chargers share SoFi Stadium.
From an on-field fit perspective, the Chargers love to air it out, and even though they already have their top two targets with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, there’s room for a third pass-catcher to emerge with Justin Herbert slinging it all over the yard.
What makes us think Beckham won’t land with the Chargers is the fact that both of their receivers are 30 (Allen) and 28 (Williams). The idea of adding more speed, and likely more youth at the position may be more appealing than signing an aging receiver coming off a major injury.
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Buffalo Bills continue effort to win now
One of the perceived finalists to land OBJ in 2022 when he was reportedly seeking a contract was the Buffalo Bills. Not only are they an annual contender who many feel has a strong chance to reach the Super Bowl each year, they boast an old friend, in Von Miller, who won a Super Bowl with OBJ in L.A. in 2021.
Yet, the Bills keep falling short of expectations, and being that they still have yet to secure the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory, chances are they’ll remain aggressive. With Miller continuing to serve as a recruiter for top talent, don’t be surprised if Beckham becomes enamored with the idea of joining a pass-heavy offense that also has a need for a third pass-catching target to emerge alongside Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Yet, the Bills likely can’t offer a break-the-bank contract, as they currently sit $18 million above the cap spending limit.
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New York Giants pull off OBJ reunion
Another team that was heavily linked to signing OBJ last season was the New York Giants, the same franchise that originally took a chance on him with the 12th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Beckham became an absolute superstar playing in the biggest market in sports. While he eventually wanted a change of scenery, the Giants are back to competing for the playoffs and one of their biggest needs happens to be a receiver.
Going back to the Big Apple for Beckham likely means he’d get to be Daniel Jones‘ top pass-catching target, which may be far too intriguing to pass up. Not only would he get the chance to play hero again, he’d also see some familiar faces in the locker room, with Saquon Barkley likely to remain in town. Beckham only played one playoff game with the Giants during his original five-year tenure, maybe now he can add to that total next season.
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Odell Beckham Jr. joins Dallas Cowboys
The team that would bring the most fanfare to a Beckham signing would be the Dallas Cowboys. Just imagine all the marketing opportunities for OBJ if he were to join ‘America’s Team?’ The Cowboys are just as motivated to win as any other franchise, but being that they also consistently fall short of their demanding fanbase’s expectations, swinging for the fences could be in store for Jerry Jones this offseason.
Beckham has the opportunity to become the team’s second-or-third leading target, working with CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. Plus, imagine how much of an icon Beckham could become if he were a part of the team who erased the franchise’s 27-year Super Bowl drought? Dak Prescott has shown the ability to play at an elite level in the past, and perhaps, if given another weapon like Beckham, the Cowboys can return to being the top-ranked scoring offense in 2023.
For a player who embraces the spotlight as much as Beckham does, signing with the Cowboys may make the most sense, but he’s unlikely to receive the biggest paycheck or the largest target share compared to other competitors to land his services. We’ll see what OBJ prioritizes as he seeks his next opportunity, but he should have plenty of options.
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