Bill Belichick may not say it outwardly, but we all know he cares deeply about his post-Brady cachet. Nabbing Odell Beckham Jr. to play with a rookie quarterback would be one way to show Foxborough is still a destination, regardless of who’s under center.
The Patriots are indeed interested in OBJ, according to multiple reports. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe says the Patriots have been in touch with OBJ’s people, while Mike Giardi says “important staffers” have told him Beckham is “still pretty good” and “would work” in New England’s offense. As far as Beckham is concerned, he’s going to “take some time and assess the best situation for him,” per Josina Anderson.
That could mean teaming up with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, or maybe joining Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. ESPN's Diana Russini reports the Packers, Chiefs and Saints are front-runners at the moment, though as we know, that can change.
Despite only coming down with 41 catches over the last two seasons, Beckham is still one of the NFL’s sexiest names at wideout. He graces magazine covers; his trademark one-handed catch remains iconic. Make no mistake: OBJ is a star.
And we know Belichick loves stars. Through the years, the grumpy head coach has fostered public bromances with some of the game’s best players, ranging from Ed Reed to Larry Fitzgerald. Belichick enjoyed a deep bond with Chad Ochocinco, despite his proclivity for outbursts and controversy. “He’s a fun-loving guy, very competitive,” Belichick said lovingly in 2009. (The Patriots signed Ochocinco in 2011, and he was terrible, but nonetheless.)
In recent years, Belichick has turned his wide eyes towards OBJ. Every time they face off, Belichick apparently gets cheeky. “I have much respect for [him] and probably talk to him before and after the game,” Beckham said in 2019. “He tells me the same thing every time, ‘I hope you enjoy today because there’s not going to be much for you.’”
That’s certainly one way to make an egotistic receiver blush. But Beckham doesn’t just receive Belichick’s sweet words. He returns the favor.
“He’s a phenomenal coach. You could argue he’s the best ever,” Beckham said following their aforementioned 2019 matchup.
When the Patriots signed Cam Newton, Beckham also offered his steadfast support. “To be going to Belichick, there is no, ‘How is it going to work?,” he offered. “For me, all he wants to do is to put you in a place to succeed, and I’m happy to see it.”
Belichick seemingly pumped up Newton more in the midst of a dreadful 7-9 campaign than Brady during his later Super Bowl runs. Newton remained the starting quarterback in the midst of his self-proclaimed COVID fog, even though the Patriots were out of playoff contention. The show of faith prompted Newton to call Belichick the “most misunderstood person in all of sports.”
Belichick’s litany of detractors got in plenty of digs over the last two years. From Dec. 1, 2019 through the middle of October, the Patriots went 11-17 without winning a playoff game. But now they’ve won three straight, and the rest of the AFC is torpedoing. This week, the Browns will be without star running back Nick Chubb due to COVID.
It’s a lucky break for the Patriots — just like old times. Beckham coming to Foxborough would turn the clock back even more.
Thanks to MacFarlane Energy, your Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractor, where they can very affordably heat your three-season room with a Mitsubishi ductless hyper heat unit. Please visit MacFarlaneEnergy.com.