Oh, what a tangled web we weave.
Odell Beckham Jr. is set to make his return to the field for the 2023 season, this after he flirted with a number of teams prior to the end of last season. Ultimately, contract demands and Beckham's health led to no action.
Now, Beckham is closer to signing with his fourth NFL team, but the Aaron Rodgers trade to the Jets may be holding things up. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Beckham is interested in "uniting forces" with Rodgers in New York (via SNY):
Who would've thought that Aaron Rodgers might be the single factor holding up Odell's signing in the end? said. "But I think everybody — including Odell Beckham Jr. — is waiting to see if and when the Jets get a deal done with Aaron Rodgers, at which point Odell Beckham Jr. would have some interest in uniting forces with Aaron Rodgers and, obviously, the interest would be mutual with Rodgers having mentioned Beckham's name to the Jets front office during their visit. So I think these two sides are waiting to see what happens.
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According to NFL Network's Mike Giardi, Beckham's price point has dropped just a bit but still isn't palatable for some teams. Beckham's asking price may be a bit "out of whack," says Giardi.
Have also been told the price tag on OBJ has come down some but that, as one source told me, is still "out of whack" for someone who didn't play a snap last season. If they'd agree to an incentive-based deal, they could probably put the WR in position to "make a healthy number."
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 3, 2023
While Beckham waits for Rodgers, the Ravens have reportedly made a contract offer to the wideout to strengthen their weak WR corps. But, as is the situation with the Jets, Beckham won't know who will be throwing him the ball in Baltimore, as the contract standoff with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens continues into draft month.
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The Jets and Packers are in a standoff of their own, with questions surrounding trade compensation as far out as 2025. A soft deadline of the 2023 NFL Draft has been set, though both teams can drag this out well beyond April 27.
Rodgers has made it clear he plans to play for the Jets in 2023, though the trade hurdle remains.
So, Beckham could be waiting just a bit longer to make his next move. Other moves just may have to happen first.
