Giants are Headed Toward Another Divorce With Odell Beckham Jr.

The New York Giants decided to go with a blast from the past last month, signing Odell Beckham Jr. to compete for a roster spot in training camp.

The move occurred when the Giants were unsure about the status of lead wide receiver Malik Nabers, who, fortunately, will not be starting 2026 on the PUP list.

New York added several other receivers this offseason, signing Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III during the first wave of free agency and nabbing Malachi Fields in the NFL Draft. It also landed JuJu Smith-Schuster the same day it netted Beckham.

Considering the Giants' current situation at wide receiver, does anyone actually believe that Beckham — who hasn't played in an NFL game since 2024 — actually has a chance of making an impact for Big Blue this fall?

Nabers, Darius Slayton, Mooney, Austin and Fields are stone-cold locks to make the roster. That leaves just one or two open slots remaining in the wide receiver room.

I suppose that if John Harbaugh decides to carry seven receivers, Beckham could make the 53-man squad, but is rolling with that many wide outs a smart idea?

The more probable scenario is the Giants going with six, and in that case, I certainly feel that Smith-Schuster — who actually played last season — is the much better choice.

And to be quite frank, I'm still not ruling out the possibility of New York adding another veteran receiver like Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel or perhaps even Stefon Diggs.

Beckham was last seen logging nine catches for 55 yards in nine games for the Miami Dolphins two years ago. The Dolphins cut him during the back half of that season.

The last time he managed 1,000 yards? Back in 2019, his debut campaign with the Cleveland Browns after being traded from the Big Apple. He has achieved 500 yards just twice since then. That included his one season with Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens in 2023.

Beckham was actually a bit of a difference-maker during his lone campaign in Baltimore, but that was three years ago already. He is now 33 years old, he has a very checkered injury history and he wasn't good enough to make anyone's roster in 2025.

What makes the Giants think he has improved after another year of aging?

I get that Harbaugh likes him, but New York has to be realistic. Of the Giants' current options, Smith-Schuster is the superior choice. And if New York does go out and sign a veteran receiver, then Beckham's chances of making the roster are basically zilch.

Beckham was brilliant during his first stint with Big Blue. He was on track to become one of the best pass-catchers ever, but injuries — and attitude problems — sabotaged him.

He hasn't been the same since, and there is no reason to believe that he can turn back the clock and help this offense nearly a decade later.