CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns officially waived Odell Beckham Jr. bringing to close nearly a week of drama and ending the receiver’s time in Cleveland.
Should Beckham go unclaimed, he will become a free agent Tuesday at 4 p.m. eastern.
Browns executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry negotiated Beckham’s exit with his agents this past week.
Should Beckham be claimed, the team that is awarded him would be responsible for $7.25 million in salary for the remainder of the season.
If he goes unclaimed, the Browns will be on the hook for $4.25 million of his salary, saving the Browns $3 million, following a contract negotiation that also removed the final non-guaranteed two years of his deal.
NFL Network and the Associated Press reported the financial terms of the agreement worked out between the Browns and Beckham’s agents on Saturday.
Beckham was excused from practice last week after his father, Odell Beckham Sr., posted a video on Instagram showing Beckham being open this season and then writing disparaging comments about Mayfield in response to comments on the post.
Beckham, who reportedly requested a trade on multiple occasions this year, was acquired by former Browns general manager John Dorsey to give the team, and quarterback Baker Mayfield, an electrifying playmaker but the chemistry between Beckham and Mayfield never materialized.
In his first season with the Browns Beckham reached 1,000 yards while playing through a core muscle injury and the Browns went 6-10 during a disastrous season under Freddie Kitchens, who was fired after one year as head coach. Beckham underwent surgery in the offseason.
Last season Beckham tore his ACL in Week 7 and he spent a second straight offseason rehabbing from surgery.
Beckham was inactive Week 1, which caused some friction because the coaching staff game planned for his return against the Chiefs. He was quickly ruled out for the next game, a 31-21 win over the Texans, and returned in Week 3.
Beckham suffered a sprained shoulder against the Cardinals October 17.
In 29 games with the Browns, Beckham caught 114 passes of 210 targets for 1,586 yards and seven touchdowns.
Sunday in Cincinnati the Browns put the Beckham situation behind them and rolled to a 41-16 win over the Bengals to improve to 5-4 on the season.
