Former All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t play in 2022 while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI with the Rams. The LSU product signed a one-year, $15 million deal to join the Ravens last April, and had a productive season by any standards.
And now, after a week of free agency, Beckham appears to think he might not be coming back to Baltimore.
Beckham posted a message on Instagram on Sunday that sounds a lot like a goodbye.
“Swea on everything I appreciate the Flock more than yall could EVER imagine. Did everything I could wit the opportunities I had. Wish I got to do it big for yall,” Beckham wrote.After Baltimore was eliminated from play by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game on in January, Beckham addressed reporters about his future.
Ravens general manager Erick DeCosta spoke to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and made comments suggesting the possibility that OBJ will return to Charm City in 2024.
“We’ve just texted,” DeCosta said. “He’s a great, great guy. I love Odell.
“He’s become a great friend of mine and a friend to the Ravens, and I think we’ll just kind of assess and see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”
Beckham thinks he can still contribute to a winner, and that’s what he wants to do.
“I know that I can still play football and I know that I still have s*** in the tank,” OBJ said via Jamison Hensley. “As far as my future, just take a step back, breathe for a second, pick your chin up. Just know that life goes on and we will figure out what’s next after that.”
Beckham recovered from his injury to post 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games and three starts.
In 10 seasons with four teams, he’s caught 566 balls for 7,932 yards and 59 touchdowns. He found the most success in his first three seasons in the league after being selected 12th overall by the Giants in the 2014 NFL Draft. From 2014-2016 OBJ made the Pro Bowl and earned All-Pro honors.
Will he return to the Ravens in 2024? That remains to be seen. But wherever he goes it most likely won’t be for $15 million. The Ravens ended up having a crowded receiver’s room in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offense. Rookie Zay Flowers played brilliantly while newcomer Nelson Agholor caught on quickly.
Beckham’s future might be up in the air, but his ability to contribute to an NFL contender no longer is.