In case you haven’t heard, the Cleveland Browns released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Friday. It ended Beckham’s tenure with the team that acquired him in March 2019.
So, in parts of three seasons for the Browns, Beckham played in 29 games, finished with 114 receptions, 1,586 yards and seven touchdowns.
Now, he is subject to the NFL waiver process, meaning some of the worst teams in the NFL can claim him — and his contract — off waivers. However, if no team claims him, Beckham is free to sign with any team in the NFL.
And before you ask, no, Washington should not claim Beckham or attempt to sign him.
Washington is currently No. 7 in the waiver order.
Current #NFL Waiver Order
1. DET
2. MIA
3. HOU
4. JAX
5. NYJ
6. NYG
7. WSH
8. PHI
9. SEA
10. CHI
11. ATL
12. SF
13. MIN
14. IND
15. NE
16. DEN
17. CLE
18. KC
19. CAR
20. LAC
21. PIT
22. CIN
23. NO
24. TB
25. BUF
26. LV
27. DAL
28. GB
29. BAL
30. LAR
31. TEN
32. ARZ— Spotrac (@spotrac) November 5, 2021
So, if Washington put in a claim on Beckham, there is a good chance he lands in Washington. Hard pass.
No, this isn’t about money. Washington has the cap room to add Beckham for the remainder of the season. The move just doesn’t make sense for a variety of reasons.
First, you paid Curtis Samuel $34.5 million for three years in the offseason to be Terry McLaurin’s sidekick. Oh, and McLaurin is due for a massive extension in the offseason.
Back to Samuel, he’s played just two games this season, totaling four receptions for 19 yards. Washington hopes to get him back after the bye week. While it remains to be seen how the Samuel experiment ends this season, it doesn’t make sense to add another receiver to the mix — especially one who demands the football.
Next, Beckham had issues with Baker Mayfield. While Mayfield isn’t yet one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, he is a former No. 1 overall pick. Can you imagine how unhappy he’d be in Washinton playing second fiddle to McLaurin while catching passes from Taylor Heinicke?
Yeah, that wouldn’t end well.
There were reports that Beckham wasn’t the popular teammate with the Browns. That’s the complete opposite of what Ron Rivera is trying to build in Washington.
Another issue is how good of a player is Beckham now? Yes, he was phenomenal at one point, but he hasn’t scored double-digit touchdowns since 2016. For a player averaging $19 million per season, you expect a lot more.
Washington’s next move at wide receiver is to pay McLaurin — and solve the quarterback position.
Odell Beckham Jr. should not even be under consideration for Washington.