Odell Beckham Jr. Signs 1-Year, $15 Million Deal with Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens reached a one-year contract with three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Sunday, making it their most audacious move of the offseason and sending possibly their strongest message to disgruntled quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The deal is guaranteed to be worth $15 million of the total $18 million value, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter's source.
Beckham and the Ravens had been in contact since last season, and they finally met face-to-face two weeks ago during the league's annual meeting.
The next day, though, Baltimore and Beckham agreed, canceling his visit to the New York Jets. The 30-year-old wide receiver announced the deal on Instagram.
Beckham's signing comes a month after Jackson asked the Baltimore Ravens to move him. Baltimore has since given Jackson the nonexclusive franchise tag, but no other clubs have officially pursued him.
Beckham is now the most accomplished player in the NFL's most unproven group of wide receivers. Beckham's health is a significant concern because he tore the ACL in his left knee during Super Bowl LVI and missed the rest of the season.
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How Does Odell Beckham Jr.'s Arrival Affect Lamar Jackson's Contract Impasse?
Odell Beckham Jr.'s signing comes as the Baltimore Ravens and Jackson cannot reach a contract agreement, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Soon after the news emerged on Sunday, the Ravens quarterback uploaded an Instagram photo of a video call with Beckham.
The Ravens gave Jackson the non-exclusive franchise tag in March, allowing him to hold free-agent negotiations with other teams.
Jackson reportedly demanded a trade from the Ravens after being in contract talks with the team since the offseason prior. It has been said that the Ravens have no plans to move him.
The tag requires the Baltimore Ravens to match any long-term offer made to Jackson or pay him $32.41 million next season if they do not trade him.
Reportedly, several teams needing a quarterback are passing on Jackson, a 26-year-old former league MVP with a history of injuries.
It seems that Jackson is looking forward to Beckham's visit. He was vocal about his displeasure with the Ravens' decision to trade receiver Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022 NFL draft.
Meanwhile, whether the Beckham deal represents a turning point or shifts in discussions remains to be seen.
Odell Beckham Jr.'s Career
After injuring his ACL in Super Bowl LVI while playing for the Los Angeles Rams, the three-time Pro Bowler missed the whole season, CNN reports.
The New York Giants picked him up in the 12th spot of the 2014 NFL Draft. After two and a half injury-plagued seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, the 2014 Rookie of the Year was moved to the Cleveland Browns in 2019.
Odell Beckham Jr. signed a one-year contract with the Rams after having his contract with the Browns nullified in November 2021.
Beckham Jr. led the Rams in receiving 21 passes for 288 yards and two scores during the playoffs.
He has made 531 receptions for 3,670 yards and 56 touchdowns throughout his 96 career games.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
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