The saga between receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the Cleveland Browns appears to be drawing to a close. After the star receiver was excused from practice for the last two days, Beckham was released after his former team finished re-working his contract.
“After careful consideration, internal discussions and conversations with Odell and his representation, we’ve determined that it is in the best interest of all parties involved that Odell no longer play for the Cleveland Browns,” Andrew Berry, Cleveland’s general manager and executive vice president of football operations said in a release. “We appreciate all his efforts and contributions while in Cleveland, but we’ve just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell. We are finalizing the process of granting Odell his release and we wish him well as he continues his career.”
Beckham spent the last three seasons with Cleveland, totaling 114 receptions for 1,586 yards and seven touchdowns in 29 games.
Now that he’s released, Beckham will have to clear waivers before he becomes free to sign anywhere as an unrestricted free agent. Considering the fact that the team who claims Beckham will inherit $7.25 million in salary for the rest of the year, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who lead the league in available cap space with more than $27 million to spend, could be a suitor for his talents.
Jacksonville has already lost receiver D.J. Chark Jr. for the rest of the season, and it has since had to elevate return specialist and former cornerback Jamal Agnew to a starting receiver role. Certainly adding a playmaker like Beckham (albeit one that is a bit past his prime) could be an intriguing option for the Jaguars.
It could become significantly less affordable to pick up Beckham if he’s able to clear waivers, so claiming him would likely be Jacksonville’s best shot at landing his services. There is also a possibility he’s looking to play for a contender, which also hurts Jacksonville’s chances if he is a free agent.
The Jags currently sit fourth in the waiver claim order. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Beckham will go on waivers Monday and the time his claim will be official is on Tuesday at 4 p.m. EST.
Drops from receivers proved to be a major problem on Sunday, and whether Beckham is the answer or not, the Jags desperately need to get some help for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Update: Schefter also reported that Beckham removed the last two years off his deal during the period the contract was re-worked. That means he’s set to be a free agent next season. However, the process has to be approved by the NFLPA.
As part of the settlement of the reworked contract before it is terminated, the Browns agreed to remove the final two years of Odell Beckham Jr.’s deal, meaning he now is scheduled to be a free agent after this season, per sources. Beckham had two years left on his deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2021