Baltimore faces an offseason of change after Mike Macdonald bolted for the Seahawks job.
Anthony Weaver landed the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator job, and 29 players are set to be free agents, headlined by Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike.
The Ravens are 19th in the NFL in salary cap space, with $16.6 million available, and there will be critical decisions regarding several vital contributors and two All-Pros. And they’re spending about $120 million-plus on the offensive side of the football.
With an urgent offseason underway, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. likely won’t be in those plans.
Michael Thomas’ contract with the Saints is set to void, making him a free agent. A few scouts pointed out Baltimore as a good fit. The Ravens likely won’t re-sign Odell Beckham Jr., and they value established veterans at the receiver position. But a reunion with former New Orleans coach Sean Payton in Denver also makes sense. “When he’s out there and healthy, he affects the game,” an NFC scout said.
In his one season with the Ravens, Beckham appeared in 14 of the 17 regular-season games, logging 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns.
Beckham hasn’t recorded a 1,000-yard season since 2019, but he vibed well with the Baltimore skill players and had a tight relationship with WR Zay Flowers.
However, he should move on unless he’s prepared to return at a significant discount.
One possibility is the New York Jets. Beckham could flourish playing opposite Garrett Wilson while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers.