Odell Beckham Jr. suffering a torn ACL in last year’s Super Bowl was a sad occurrence for a number of reasons. First and foremost, because he was clearly on his way to being the Super Bowl MVP. But also, because it will cost him big in free agency this summer.
Although the Rams expressed some interest in retaining him, adding Allen Robinson and signing him to a three-year, $46.5 million contract sends a very contradictory message.
LA may still be in the hunt for Beckham, but they’re no longer the frontrunners.
This week, a new frontrunner emerged for Beckham’s services.
From NFL Live, @JFowlerESPN on Odell Beckham: “Watch for the #Patriots here. I’m told they at least had some exploratory talks early in free agency. The Pats looked into Odell in November when he was released by Cleveland. Beckham has interest in Bill Belichick…” pic.twitter.com/hCiJz4jRVt
— Follow @FTB_VIDS (@FTB_VIDS) April 1, 2022
“Watch for the Patriots here,” reported Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
“I’m told they at least had some exploratory talks early in free agency. The Pats looked into Odell in November when he was released by Cleveland. Beckham has interest in Bill Belichick.”
What complicates this just a bit is a move New England made Saturday when they sent a 2023 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for DeVante Parker and a 2022 fifth-rounder.
Parker recorded 40 receptions for 515 yards and 2 scores in 10 games last year. Back in 2019, he amassed 72 receptions for 1,202 yards and 9 touchdowns.
For his troubles that year, Parker got a 4-year, $40 million contract extension. Now he’ll come with a $8.7 million cap hit for 2022 and $9 million cap hit in 2023.
That’s a decent investment financially for the Patriots, and it casts doubt on how hard they’ll now pursue Beckham.
Last year, in eight regular-season games with the Rams, Beckham caught 27 passes for 305 yards and five scores. In the playoffs, he amassed 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns.
Honest stuff from Paige. https://t.co/60qpv01E5r
— Game 7 (@game7__) April 2, 2022
When Beckham is right, he is very talented. That said, it’s hard to ignore his injury woes, his history of bad relationships with quarterbacks and the drama that often accompanies him off the field.
Where will Beckham ultimately end up when it’s all said and done next year?
Time will tell.
Related: Paige Spiranac Gets Brutally Honest On Life After Divorce
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
