One of the biggest priorities of the Baltimore Ravens offseason besides signing quarterback Lamar Jackson was upgrading the wide receiver position. That priority was taken care of on Sunday night when the news broke of Odell Beckham Jr. agreeing to a deal.
The Ravens might not done at the position, and could do something during the 2023 draft. When Beckham was asked about why he wanted to sign in Baltimore, he mentioned multiple reasons including the fact that the team showed him that they wanted him to be a part of what they’re building.
"I was an underdog my whole life… I'm still counted out. That excites me. This team has great talent across the board." @obj pic.twitter.com/BkJQykfcyV
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 13, 2023
“Definitely. Obviously, it’s the obvious feeling in the room, but I’ve been around – I was in the AFC North – I’ve been around Baltimore and whopped by them plenty of times. (laughter)I know what kind of team they are. One of my favorite things that [executive vice president & general manager Eric DeCosta] was talking about was that underdog story. I was an underdog all my life; I wasn’t the Number One receiver in my class; I was a four-star [recruit]; I didn’t have it easy coming up till I got to New York, and then I had some success. So, I’ve been the underdog all my life. I’ve still been counted out; I’m still counted out, and that kind of excites me. This is a team that has great talent all across the board; offensive line, running backs, receiver room, defense is great. It boiled down to … I’m in a place in my life where it means a lot more to be wanted than ‘someone would love to have you,’ because a lot of places would love to have you, but where you’re really wanted, you can then pour your heart into that even more. It’s just a lot easier from where I’m at [and] just the type of person I am. That was the situation; it wasn’t about so much money, it wasn’t about anything, it was that they showed that they wanted me to be here, and that they see me as a piece to come here and help them win. I got one ring, and it was a bittersweet champagne. I remember having talks with God, and he was just like, ‘I know it wasn’t exactly what you wanted; I know it was bittersweet.’ He was like, ‘Next time that you get to taste that champagne, it will be the best thing you’ve ever tasted.’ So, to me, it’s all about getting these rings; it’s all about being great, excellent every single day and winning championships.”