Odell Beckham Jr. played for the New York Giants on Saturday for the first time since 2018.
Odell Beckham Jr. wore a New York Giants uniform on Saturday (8/15) against the Minnesota Vikings for the first time since 2018.
OBJ caught two of three targets for six receiving yards. While the production wasn't much, he did show spryness and the ability to generate separation, even if the ball didn’t find him a ton. His 10 routes run were tied for the most of any Giants WR, per Next Gen Stats.
After the game, OBJ spoke about playing for the Giants again.
“It was everything I was expecting it to be,” Beckham Jr. told Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post. “Just the love to be able to be back here in a place I’ve done special things. It was a special moment with a lot of emotions going into it, so you kind of have to check them and make sure you don’t burn too much energy too early.”
Beckham Jr. played in nine games with the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 season. He caught nine passes for 55 yards and didn't score a touchdown.
The 33-year-old Beckham Jr. began his NFL career with the Giants in 2014. He made three consecutive Pro Bowls with New York from 2014 to 2016 and won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
However, Beckham Jr. became too big a distraction to the Giants franchise due to his antics and the LSU product was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019.
OBJ finished his first New York stint with 5,476 receiving yards, 390 catches and 44 receiving touchdowns.
Beckham Jr. appeared in 29 games with the Browns before being waived in November 2021. The three-time Pro Bowler signed with the Los Angeles Rams and helped the team win the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Unfortunately for Beckham Jr., he tore his ACL (for the second time) in the Super Bowl and missed the entire 2022 season. The veteran signed with the Ravens in 2023 to play with QB Lamar Jackson. OBJ had 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns with the Ravens.
A New Orleans native, Beckham Jr. has 575 catches, 7,987 receiving yards and 59 receiving touchdowns in the NFL. He was on a Hall of Fame path with the Giants before injuries and trades derailed his career.
It will be fascinating to see if OBJ makes the opening day roster.
“It’s just a day-by-day thing,” Beckham Jr. said. “I feel good as far as my body, knowing what I can do. It’s just going to be making the most of the opportunities that come your way. ... That goes for everybody. It’s been a minute [since I played in a game], but I feel the same as leaving practice.”
