Odell Beckham Jr. was a free agent for literally moments on Tuesday, getting released by the Minnesota Vikings only to be brought right back to the organization in a move that seemed wild on its face. It was one of those roster chess moves that looks absolutely bonkers until you get the full picture.
The “He’s Back!” Instant Replay
NFL insider Tom Pelissero dropped the news on X, stating that the Vikings had cut the veteran wide receiver and then, almost immediately, re-signed him to their practice squad. Talk about a quick turnaround! It had fans scratching their heads, wondering if the team had lost its mind or if OBJ had pulled some kind of fast one. But this wasn’t some sudden change of heart, it was pure strategy.
Making Room for a Major Deal
As Charean Williams of NBC Sports explained, the Vikings did not actually change their minds about Beckham Jr. This whole maneuver was a procedural step, a necessary evil, to open up an active roster spot for their newly acquired quarterback, Kirk Cousins. The NFL has that strict 53-player limit on the active roster, and bringing Cousins “home” from the Las Vegas Raiders meant someone had to go. By releasing Beckham Jr. and then tucking him onto the practice squad, Minnesota got to keep him in the organization while still making room for Cousins on the main roster. It was a clever way to keep both players while adhering to the league’s roster rules. The Vikings also made sure they had enough space by releasing guard C.J. Hanson and tackle Corey Robinson II, who are no longer with the team’s practice squad either. This Tuesday was definitely an active day for the Vikings, beyond just the big Cousins trade.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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