Raise your hand if the Odell Beckham Jr. contest left you confused or unimpressed.
Beckham may not play again until the next season, despite weeks of speculation around his return, which included high-profile trips to the Giants, Cowboys, and Bills.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that numerous NFL teams believe Beckham would sit out the entire 2022 season, including the playoffs, and sign with a team at the beginning of free agency in March. One team executive informed Fowler that Beckham will be “the crown jewel” of the free-agent receiver class of 2023.
Beckham is recovering from a ruptured ACL sustained in the Super Bowl in February, which was allegedly a huge red flag for the Cowboys when they met with the 30-year-old wide receiver earlier this month.
Odell Beckham, a receiver for the Rams, sprints with the ball during Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Beckham did not participate in a workout for the Cowboys, according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, who stated the organization did not give him a contract. Dallas’s interest of Beckham has been widely acknowledged. Beckham did not work out with either the Giants or the Bills.
Concerned that Beckham is not ready to play this season, the Cowboys were hesitant to commit fully to him. Following the visit, team owner Jerry Jones informed 105.3 The Fan that he was “not confident” about signing the receiver.
The Cowboys added veteran receiver T.Y. Hilton on Monday in the hopes of a lengthy postseason run, further indicating that Beckham may not play this season.
The AFC East-leading Bills bolstered their receiving corps on Tuesday with the acquisition of Cole Beasley, who ended his retirement to return to Buffalo.
Odell Beckham Jr. warms up for Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network stated in a separate report that Beckham’s future is “in limbo” and there is “no deadline” for the wide receiver to make a decision.
Beckham addressed his free agency during LeBron James’ alternate feed of “The Shop” on “Thursday Night Football,” saying, “I’ve played football for a long time. I’m not saying I couldn’t play in the regular season, but I see no sense in doing so. I truly do not. I prefer to play when the pressure is on.”
Beckham’s return to the Giants is not out of the question, as the team has yet to add another receiver.
Reportedly, Beckham is also in communication with the Chiefs, though neither side has scheduled a meeting as of Wednesday.
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