Odell Beckham Jr. made the surprising decision to sign with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday afternoon.
The talented wide receiver had been linked to multiple teams over the past week, most notably the Green Bay Packers, but ultimately settled on LA at the last moment.
Naturally, given the rather abrupt nature of the Rams’ entry into this process, many couldn’t help but wonder what specifically drew Beckham to them.
On Friday, an answer emerged.
As it turns out the hot, entertainment-based LA market and its potential impact on his girlfriend’s career played no small role in the decision.
“Part of his decision-making was being in the LA market,” reported one NFL insider. “It is good for his endorsements and his girlfriend Lolo Wood.”
Woods is a popular social media star who boasts more than 1.6 million followers on Instagram. Some of her viral hits on the platform include:
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It stands to reason that her and Beckham being based out of Los Angeles would only help her career.
Beyond that, money also played a role.
“Odell Beckham Jr. started calling teams and informing them that they were out,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported.
New #Rams WR Odell Beckham Jr is flying to LA this morning to take a physical and sign his new contract. pic.twitter.com/SMRYyF9Wp2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 12, 2021
“He started with about five teams, and we know them by now – the Chiefs, Saints, Seahawks. Those teams were out. And then it was really down to two: the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams. These were the two teams Odell spotlighted originally. Winning culture, real chance to go deep in the playoffs, pretty good quarterbacks for both of these two teams… The Packers offered the minimum, which was not very much. The Rams offered more, up to $4.25 million based on team-based incentives.”
Beckham’s run with the Cleveland Browns obviously disappointed. The fact that he and Baker Mayfield hated each other didn’t help their on-the-field chemistry. Neither did the fact that his time with the franchise became more known for his bedroom proclivities than anything he actually accomplished as a football player.
That’s one way to do it. https://t.co/ZtCs3UUs3P
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 11, 2021
That said, this is an opportunity for a fresh start. Will Beckham be able to revive his career with the Rams? Time will tell.
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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.
