Entering the 2021 NFL season, many considered Odell Beckham Jr. a top bounce-back candidate in Year 3 with the Cleveland Browns. Just halfway through the season, it looks like he might have the opportunity to bounce back after all — just with a different team.
The drama surrounding the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, which escalated in recent days after his father posted a not-so-subtle video taking a dig at Baker Mayfield and after the Browns opted to excuse him from practice, has reached a point that seemingly can't be reversed. Instead, his days in Cleveland are all but over.
According to multiple reports, the Browns will release Beckham Jr., a move which could be finalized as soon as Friday. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and Yahoo! Sports' Charles Robinson both had the scoop late Thursday night or in the wee hours of Friday morning.
According to Florio, the two sides are expected to revise his contract in a way that "reduces the team's obligation to pay Beckham" should he clear waivers. Robinson added that these negotiations have "been in the works since Tuesday night." Florio, as well as ESPN's Adam Schefter, further explained the eventual contract revision:
If/when he clears waivers, as Florio notes, he'll become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team. There should be many suitors for his services despite a down stretch of seasons in Cleveland, seeing as he's a five-time 1,000-yard receiver and only just turned 29 years old... no, literally.
In six games this year, OBJ has just 17 catches for 232 yards and he has yet to find the end zone.
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