Odell Beckham released by Browns: What’s next for controversial receiver
After weeks of uncertainty defined by trade rumors and a quickly evaporating role in the offense, Odell Beckham Jr.’s time with the Cleveland Browns is almost over.
Cleveland announced Friday — the wide receiver’s 29th birthday — that it plans to release Beckham, making the veteran wide receiver available on waivers.
“After careful consideration, internal discussions and conversations with Odell and his representation, we’ve determined that it is in the best interest of all parties involved that Odell no longer play for the Cleveland Browns,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in a statement.
“We appreciate all his efforts and contributions while in Cleveland, but we’ve just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell. We are finalizing the process of granting Odell his release and we wish him well as he continues his career.”
Beckham had been excused from two straight practices after the team was unable to deal him before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
The Browns and Beckham’s representatives reached a settlement Friday on a reworked contract, according to ESPN, citing league sources. As a result, he will go on waivers Monday and may be claimed beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The settlement removes the last two seasons on Beckham’s contract, which would make him a free agent following this season. He previously had two years left on his contract.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that Beckham’s representatives texted the Browns on Sunday asking for a trade, but all that resulted was a “very short discussion” between Cleveland and the Saints.
Beckham logged just one target, and one catch, for 6 yards in the Browns’ loss Sunday to the Steelers, giving him just 17 catches on 34 targets through the six games in which he has played. He missed the final nine games of last year, and the first two of the 2021 season, with an ACL tear. The former Giants receiver dealt with a nagging shoulder injury after returning, too.
Hours before Tuesday’s trade deadline, Beckham’s father posted on social media to showcase the times Beckham wasn’t thrown the ball while open and put the blame on quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“This really is not about the video,” Berry said a few hours after the Browns announced the breakup. “It’s really about a series of discussions, certainly over the last week but even spanning back longer than that.”
Once the sides finalize financial terms — Beckham is owed $8 million this season — Beckham will be waived and can be claimed by any team with enough salary-cap space. If he clears the waiver wire, he would be a free agent and able to sign anywhere.
“I don’t think anyone envisioned when the organization traded for Odell three years ago that this would really be the resolution,” said Berry, who inherited Beckham, whom former GM John Dorsey acquired from the Giants. “It’s unfortunate, but at the same time there are some situations in the NFL where things just don’t quite work out.”
The Saints reportedly discussed a trade for Beckham before the deadline, and recently lost receiver Michael Thomas for the season because of complications related to his offseason ankle injury. They, along with the Patriots and Raiders, are expected to be among the teams interested in signing Beckham should he clear waivers.
— With AP