Is It Time for OBJ to Hang ’Em Up?
Odell Beckham Jr. was one of—if not the most—electrifying wide receivers of the mid-2010s. His legacy will forever be cemented by what many believe to be the greatest catch in NFL history. However, it has been a long time since Beckham was an elite player at the wide receiver position, and with him now a free agent, things could be coming to a close.
Following a lackluster stint with the Miami Dolphins last year, where he managed only 55 yards on nine receptions across nine games, Beckham once again finds himself on the free-agent market. As June approaches, interest from NFL teams remains minimal, with little to no mention of him being circulated among insiders. The former LSU standout will turn 33 this November and carries a history of significant injuries.
In 2023, Beckham was with the Baltimore Ravens, a franchise in dire need of an experienced wide receiver alongside a then-former league MVP quarterback. Nevertheless, OBJ produced just 565 yards on 35 catches and three touchdowns. This performance starkly contrasts with his first five years in New York, where he earned three Pro Bowl selections, was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, and secured two Second-Team All-Pro honors.
His last 1,000-yard receiving season came in 2019 with Cleveland, and since then, he has accumulated only 2,013 yards over four seasons. Additionally, he missed the entire 2022 campaign due to a torn ACL sustained during the Rams’ Super Bowl victory over the Bengals.
With only a few short months left until the NFL season begins, Beckham is running out of time to join an NFL roster—if he desires to do so. Beckham himself has not confirmed or denied his intentions moving forward, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility that he has already internally called it quits. Regardless, the situation carries a somber vibe, considering just how dominant he was in his prime compared to recent years.
Still, if OBJ has decided to hang ’em up, it’s been one heck of a career—and one he can certainly be proud of.