Odell Beckham Jr.’s much-hyped reunion with the New York Giants has been a total no-show so far, with the veteran receiver logging a shocking zero targets through the first two games of the season. This isn’t just quiet; it’s a full-on silent treatment for a guy who was supposed to add some punch.
The “Slow Package” That’s Going Nowhere Fast
Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy tried to explain the bizarre usage, or lack thereof, on Thursday. He claimed they’re “trying to slowly package him into things offensively.” “It’s not that he’s just a backup,” Nagy insisted. He even said sometimes, “whatever it is, personnel-wise, we have it on the game plan; we just didn’t get to it.” Having a veteran like OBJ on the roster, supposedly in the game plan, and then just “not getting to it” is a tough sell.
Nagy also pointed out they’re “one injury away from him being in all the time.” But that’s not exactly inspiring confidence for a player who’s on the 53-man roster right now. It’s genuinely surprising to see how little he’s been used, especially when you consider he only played three snaps in their brutal 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Even more baffling: Malik Nabers had to sit out some of that game with a shoulder injury, and OBJ still barely saw the field. What are they even doing?
A Struggling Offense Desperate for a Spark
New York’s offense has been absolutely anemic through these first two games, struggling to get anything going. Their leading receiver, tight end Isaiah Likely, has only 111 receiving yards and two touchdowns, topping the team in both receptions and targets. When your tight end is your only consistent threat and the rest of the offense is sputtering, you’d think bringing in a playmaker, even a veteran one, would be a priority.
To make matters worse, starting quarterback Jaxson Dart is out for the entire year, which is a massive blow and only amplifies the need for offensive production from somewhere, anywhere. Beckham, at 33 years old, might not be the electrifying receiver he was during his first five NFL seasons with New York, before his stints with the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins. But the Giants clearly felt he was “serviceable enough” to sign him. He’s looking for a memorable reunion, but that means he first needs to find a way into the actual regular rotation. This isn’t just about his stats; it’s about the team finding its identity without its starting QB.
The Giants are staring down the Tennessee Titans this week. If there was ever a moment to “experiment” with Beckham and inject some kind of life into this stagnant offense, this is it. New York desperately needs to find something, anything, to get their scoring machine rolling. Will this be the week we finally see OBJ make his presence felt, or will his reunion continue to be a quiet disappointment?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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