Oct 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) warms up before the game between the Browns and the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Odell Beckham Jr. has picked his new team, and it’s a bit of a surprise.

Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic was the first to report on Thursday afternoon that the Los Angeles Rams “are very much in play for Odell Beckham Jr.”

That was followed by reports that Rams and the Green Bay Packers were the finalists for Beckham.

And then ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Schefter was finalizing a deal with the Rams.

Well, that was followed by NFL Network’s Kim Jones reporting that Beckham told her he was still deciding between the Rams and the Packers (who had been viewed as one of the favorites entering Thursday).

However, Rodrigue then noted that she’d heard from two sources a deal was finalized, and that the Rams had already published an article on their official website before deleting it.

And Rams edge rusher Von Miller posted this on Instagram:

And then Jones reported that Beckham texted her, “Rams.”

Finally, the Rams made it official on Twitter!

Schefter reported that it’s a one-year deal.

Got all that? All of it happened in less than an hour.

Update: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that it’s a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million for Beckham.

So, that’s how the scoopage and official report went down. But what should we make of the move itself?

Beckham, 29, was a huge disappointment in three seasons with the Cleveland Browns — particularly the past two seasons — after being a superstar with the New York Giants from 2014-18. In 2021, Beckham has 17 receptions for 232 yards and no touchdowns.

It’s been quite clear in recent weeks that the Browns and Beckham were headed for divorce, and Clevleland officially waived him earlier in the week, making him a free agent.

In Los Angeles, Beckham joins a loaded Rams team that traded for Miller less than two weeks ago. It’s Super Bowl or bust for the Rams (7-2).

This is a Rams team that already has a terrific receiving corps, led by Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. And in an offense quarterbacked by NFL MVP candidate Matthew Stafford, and coached by highly creative offensive mind Sean McVay.

So, it remains to be seen how the target distribution will work out here, but there will be opportunities for Beckham- and he’ll make it even more of a nightmare for opposing teams to figure out how to gameplan defensively vs the Rams.

It’s a needed change of scenery for Beckham and a great chance to contend for a Super Bowl before he hits free agency again in the offseason. He has an opportunity to change the narrative and show teams that he can still be an impact receiver (maybe even a great receiver again).

Beckham told Josina Anderson that he’s “feeling the love from the Rams.”

For the Rams, well, there isn’t much to lose on a one-year deal. Maybe he takes their offense to another level and makes them the clear team to beat in the NFC (and perhaps the NFL altogether).

And if it’s not working out? He’ll just be buried on the depth chart behind stars for a few months of football. The Rams don’t *need* him, but perhaps he just makes a great team even better. It’s a classic low-risk, high-reward move.

Here are more tweets with news and reaction to OBJ signing with the Rams:

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.