Odell Beckham Jr. is officially heading to Minnesota, joining the Vikings’ practice squad as announced by the team. This move comes less than two weeks after the veteran pass catcher was released by the New York Giants on September 29, concluding a second, very brief stint with the club.
Zero Catches, Zero Targets: The Giants Experiment Fails
Talk about a rollercoaster! Beckham had signed with the Giants back on June 1, actually making their opening 53-man roster. But the reunion, well, it just didn’t work out. He played in three games but never once saw a target, logging zero catches. Seriously, zero. You gotta feel for the guy there. His social media activity after the release definitely showed he wasn’t thrilled about how his return to New York got cut short. Even Giants head coach John Harbaugh pretty much confirmed it, saying after Beckham’s release that it “wasn’t working for us.” Sometimes it’s just not a fit, right?
A Familiar Face and a Desperate Need for Depth
Now, Beckham gets a fresh start, and it’s with some familiar faces. He’s reuniting with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams when Beckham joined them during the 2021 season. That 2021 run was pure magic, remember? In eight regular-season games with O’Connell calling plays, Beckham snagged 27 balls for 305 yards and five touchdowns. Then, during the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI title run, he took it to another level, catching 21 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. He was absolutely balling, looking like a shoe-in for Super Bowl MVP before he sadly tore his ACL mid-game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
At 33 years old, Beckham isn’t quite that 2021 player, but he’s still a major asset, especially for a team like Minnesota that needs serious help at wideout. Their top guy, Justin Jefferson, has been battling an ankle injury and even missed their Week 5 win over Miami. After Jefferson, it’s Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings leading the active roster’s wide receiver depth chart. Getting a veteran like Beckham, even on the practice squad initially, could be a huge boost for that corps, giving them some much-needed depth and a seasoned presence.
Beckham’s got the resume, no doubt. He came into the league as the No. 12 overall pick out of LSU in the 2014 NFL Draft, made two second-team All-Pro teams in 2015 and 2016, and boasts career numbers of 575 regular-season catches, 7,987 receiving yards, and 59 touchdown receptions. For a team needing a spark, that kind of experience can’t be understated.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply