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Odell Beckham Jr. Cuts Short Return to Giants
Developing
In Short: Odell Beckham Jr. expressed regret over his brief return to the New York Giants, saying he should have known better.
Odell Beckham Jr. expressed regret over his brief return to the New York Giants, saying he should have known better. In an interview with 930 WFMD Free Talk, Beckham said, 'I shoulda known better,' referring to his decision to sign a one-year veterans salary benefit deal with the team.
Beckham's return to the Giants was initially seen as a warm homecoming, with Beckham himself stating that he never wanted to leave and was happy to be back. However, his return was more notable in the press than on the field, as Beckham, now 33, was active for only three games and did not catch a single pass after being targeted just once.
Beckham took to a fan's Instagram account on Saturday, where the narrative shifted completely. He accused the Giants of giving him 'the run along,' which meant he couldn't pursue opportunities on other teams during training camp, the preseason, and most of September.
Beckham's comments were echoed by a football fan who made an Instagram video insulting the Giants organization for using Beckham to create a storyline and drum up fan interest without any real intent to use him on the field.
In a separate interview with CBS Sports, Beckham said the Giants 'won' given the attention he brought while accepting a veteran minimum contract. He also acknowledged that he 'shoulda known better,' indicating that he understood the Giants' strategy but felt it was a personal disappointment.
John Harbaugh, the head coach of the Giants, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. 'I had a great conversation with Odell,' Harbaugh said, via SNY. 'But we just weren't getting enough, you know. It just wasn't working for us. And like I told him, I wanted to be able to get more. I wanted him to be able to do more, I wanted to get him on the field more. Whatever reason, we weren't able to do it. Put it on us. We weren't able to get it done. But at this point in time, that's kind of where we were and we needed to move on.'
Beckham's original stint with the Giants from 2014-18 was marked by his popularity and success in the city. However, his return was more about the narrative than the game, with Beckham's son's happiness upon seeing his father's jersey number 13 breaking Beckham down emotionally.
Time will tell if Beckham catches on with another team. The Giants replaced Beckham by signing wide receiver and punt returner Braxton Berrios to the active roster, along with Charlie Jones, signaling the end of Beckham's brief return to the team.
What this adds
The fact that Beckham's return was more about the narrative than his performance on the field highlights the complex relationship between players and teams in the NFL.
What's still developing
- “Now let me [tell] u the [real] deal truth [that] hurt my heart to the core is [coming] home and seeing my son and how happy he was with no idea of what happened and talkin’ [about] my job [and] jersey number 13 broke me [the f–k] down,” Beckham wrote.
- Beckham is apparently agreeing with the premise that the Giants used him, and paid minimally for it in return.
- OBJ, who turns 34 next month, returned to the Giants this offseason and earned a spot on the final 53-man roster.
- Giants fans hoped to witness a storybook end to his NFL career.
- During New York's Week 3 victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, "OBJ" chants could be heard throughout MetLife Stadium.
Sources
- 930 WFMD Free Talklink