Could two Patriots fans’ dreams have died with one announcement this weekend? Likely not, but one Easter decision may just have major ramifications on the AFC this season.
Odell Beckham Jr., the top remaining free agent receiver on the market, has decided to sign a one-year deal worth up to $18 million with, of all teams, the Baltimore Ravens, according to multiple reports. He had reportedly been looking for a multi-year deal worth in the neighborhood of $15-$20 million but ultimately settled on the one-year deal with the receiver-needy Ravens…who also might be quarterback-needy?
Lamar Jackson has yet to sign his non-exclusive one-year franchise tag the Ravens placed on him weeks ago, leaving him still in limbo, making Beckham’s decision to sign with the Ravens curious, or potentially telling. Does this mean Jackson will return to the Ravens? Beckham and Jackson had reportedly been in touch over the years about trying to team up to win a Super Bowl. Perhaps OBJ took the best deal on the table, or perhaps he and the QB many teams may have considered pursuing, but ultimately balked at the price tag of (two first round picks and a lot of guaranteed money), are teaming up.
If this plays out that a motivated Jackson is set to return to the Ravens and Beckham returns to the top form that had him as a Super Bowl LVI MVP candidate before tearing his ACL in the game, then add the Ravens to the mix as AFC contenders. If another team suddenly signs Jackson to an offer sheet, and the Ravens decide not to match? Then this will be a potentially dubious decision for Beckham.
As for how this impacts the Patriots: Obviously Beckham, who has allegedly said in the past he wanted to play for the Patriots (moreso in the Brady era) and has been tied to the team multiple times, will not be taking his talents to Foxboro this season. The team has been linked to many potential No. 1 wide receivers this offseason, and even attended Beckham’s workout a few weeks back, but ultimately wasn’t likely in the neighborhood of a deal that rich. Some will say Beckham didn’t want to play with Mac Jones, but that will just be pot-stirring narrative speculation. This also, once and for all, puts the Lamar Jackson to the Patriots idea to bed for good, at least for this season. If Jackson signs his tag with the Ravens, he’ll be paid just south of $33 million to return to Baltimore, team up with Beckham, pursue another division title in an increasingly competitive AFC North and showcase his skills and durability once again in pursuit of a long-term deal. Which could be in Foxboro in 2024. Just not this season. So Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and insert potential veteran third QB it likely is for 2023. Please adjust your anticipation levels accordingly.
As for who will be the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver with Beckham now in Baltimore, Jerry Jeudy is still in Denver and DeAndre Hopkins is with the Cardinals, tenuously, for now. Only time and the upcoming NFL Draft will tell.
For any Pats fans disappointed that Beckham won’t be coming to Foxboro, one positive way to look at this deal is at least Beckham won’t be going to the Jets. Or any other AFC East team. So they got going for them, which is nice.