Although three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. did not play in the NFL last season, he is arguably the top free-agent wide receiver on the market. While several teams have shown interest in signing him, Beckham may prefer to return to where his pro career began.
On Thursday, Beckham tweeted highlights from the Arizona workout he held for teams last week. In response to Beckham’s video, his former Giants teammate Saquon Barkley wrote, “Still that MF.”
Beckham hit back at Barkley with the suggestion that the running back have Giants GM Joe Schoen contact the wideout’s agent.
“Tell Joe call my agent [laughing emoji]…. I got some more shxt left to do,” Beckham replied.
Drafted 12th overall in the spring of 2014, Beckham played five seasons with the Giants, recording 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns along the way. In franchise history, he ranks second all-time in receiving yardage.
New York traded Beckham and DE Olivier Vernon to Cleveland in 2019 for guard Kevin Zeitler, safety Jabrill Peppers, and two draft picks. Beckham played parts of three seasons with the Browns, fighting through injuries and frustration, before being released during the 2021 season.
Shortly after his release, Beckham signed with the Rams. He would suffer the second torn ACL of his career during Los Angeles’ Super Bowl LVI win over the Bengals. That Super Bowl marked Beckham’s last NFL appearance. During the past campaign, he did visit the Giants, Cowboys and Bills, though he ultimately opted to sit out the entire season in order to enter the 2023 free agent market at full or close to full health
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk recently reported that the 30-year-old receiver is seeking a deal worth $20 million annually, with theScore’s Jordan Schultz additionally hearing Beckham is aiming to sign a multi-year deal.
While Beckham’s true interest in the Giants remains an unknown, this is not the first time he has expressed a desire to play alongside Barkley again. In December, Beckham said he and Barkley had unfinished business during an alternate Thursday Night Football broadcast hosted by ‘The Shop: Uninterrupted.’
“I don’t feel like Saquon Barkley and I got to do what we were supposed to do,” Beckham explained. He mentioned that it would be a “special” experience to reconnect with WR Sterling Shepard, who officially re-signed with New York on Wednesday.
A revamped Giants offense with Beckham could certainly help Daniel Jones make good on his own $160 million contract and the team has the pieces in place for another potential playoff run this winter.
Beckham’s contract demands — should he want to return to New York in earnest — might be the biggest hurdle to any possible reunion, but his return to the Big Apple would be one of the league’s more exciting storylines for the coming season if it did come to fruition.
