It would appear that the Odell Beckham Jr. Era is over in Cleveland. According to many reports, Beckham is no longer with the team and some kind of separation from the franchise is imminent.
Things haven’t been going well between the wide receiver and the team. In six games so far this season, OBJ only has 17 catches for 232 yards and hasn’t been a common target for Baker Mayfield and other Browns quarterbacks. Amidst his frustrations, there were reports of potential trades but nothing materialized before the deadline on Tuesday.
News first broke early in the morning that Beckham had been “excused” from practice by the team.
Source close to #Browns Odell Beckham Jr. said the wideout will not practice today and that the decision was “team-related”. @JosinaAnderson reports Beckham Jr. was ready to practice and the team told him he was “excused” from attending. This appears to be a crossroads.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 3, 2021
Michael Silver reported that Brown coach Kevin Stefanski told the team that Beckham was “essentially not on the team right now and that the WR has been told to stay at home.”
Earlier today, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told his players that Odell Beckham Jr. is essentially not on the team right now and that the WR has been told to stay at home.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) November 3, 2021
Stefanski also told reporters that the team and OBJ’s agent were in the process of discussing “next steps.”
Kevin Stefanski says Odell’s agent and #Browns GM Andrew Berry are discussing next steps
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 3, 2021
Kevin Stefanski says he has not spoken to Odell Beckham in the last 24 hours
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 3, 2021
The key now is the financial aspect of their relationship as the team is not willing to waive Beckham. If he was waived, another team could take on Beckham’s owed money but that’s no guarantee. As of this moment, the Browns are fine simply storing Beckham on their roster and losing that spot.
Browns/OBJ may be able to reach some sort of financial resolution to end his time in Cleveland but as of now team not willing to waive him, and is willing to burn a 53-man roster spot just for him to stay away and excuse him indefinitely. Thats a new one for me. This isn't over
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) November 3, 2021
A reminder that, if the Browns were to release Beckham at this point, he would be subject to waivers and any team claiming him would be responsible for the remaining $7.25M in guaranteed salary he's owed this year. That figure drops by roughly $805,000 per week from here out. https://t.co/D2V7ecgkpS
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) November 3, 2021
It’s hard to know exactly where things are going to go. At the moment, it sounds like the Browns are simply going to let Beckham sit there until the season is over. However, they’d probably love to open up that roster spot if possible so perhaps a deal can be struck to make the financials work for both sides. Whatever happens, it certainly sounds like Beckham has played for the Browns for the final time.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.