OBJ's New Home Will Haunt Giants Fans

The New York Giants part ways with Odell Beckham Jr. after a brief and unproductive return, citing mutual interests and a needed roster adjustment.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s second stint with the Giants never got off the ground, and New York has already pulled the plug.

The team is releasing Beckham, according to Jordan Schultz, ending a reunion that had barely made it through the opening stretch of the season. Schultz wrote: “Sources: The Giants are releasing WR Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ has not been featured much despite earning a spot on the team, and the sides decided a mutual parting was best for everyone,”

Beckham came back to New York in the offseason after drawing interest off a strong showing at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. He even offered a little reminder of the old Beckham during camp, pulling in a spectacular one-handed grab before a Sunday night game against Dallas.

It was the kind of flash that brought back memories of his famous 2014 catch in that same stadium. But that turned out to be the peak of the comeback.

What followed was a quiet three-game run that never produced a catch. Beckham played just 19 total snaps and was barely involved in the offense. By Week 2, the frustration was already obvious, with fans mocking his sideline energy after he logged only four offensive snaps and zero targets.

The Giants also had a practical reason to make the move now. They needed room for punt returner Braxton Berrios, who had used up his practice squad elevations. That left the team deciding between keeping Beckham around or opening a roster spot for a player they actually needed on special teams.

New York also kept leaning toward younger pass-catchers such as Malik Nabers, and that pattern never changed. Beckham simply never found a role.

Schultz added that the release gives Beckham “an opportunity to catch on with a team in a better situation.”

Now Beckham hits free agency with an 11-year résumé that still commands attention: 575 catches, 7,987 yards and 59 touchdowns in 122 career games. His production has dropped since he helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, but teams around the league still know the kind of impact he can make in flashes.

A Rams reunion would make sense on paper. Puka Nacua is dealing with hip and groin injuries, and Los Angeles doesn’t have much proven depth behind him and Davante Adams.

Former teammate Jarvis Landry said he believes Beckham would welcome that kind of return, and told Kay Adams that playing alongside a healthy Aaron Donald again would sweeten the deal. Beckham has also said Sean McVay got the best out of him, a connection that goes back to that Super Bowl run.

Whether that leads to another contract is still up in the air. But with receiver depth thin around the league, Beckham probably won’t be waiting long for his phone to ring.

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