At this point, it’s obvious the Odell Beckham Jr. experiment in Cleveland has failed.
The marriage between OBJ and the Browns was not meant to be and it has devastated his otherwise electric tenure in the NFL.
After the Giants selected Odell with the 12th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season, Beckham had 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 TDs. He was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl.
Over the next two seasons, Odell continued his cornerback domination, going for 2,817 yards and 23 TDs on 197 catches. This was coupled with two more Pro Bowls and what felt like weekly appearances on every highlight reel.
But a few strange events involving Odell occurred during this time which, possibly, contributed to the Giants’ growing side-eye on the talented receiver out of LSU.
First, he tried to decapitate Panthers defensive back Josh Norman in 2015.
A year later, he was caught crying on the sidelines and then was counterattacked by a kicking net after he drew first blood on it.
Then in 2017, he, unfortunately, suffered a gruesome, season-ending ankle injury.
He returned a year later and had another Odell-like year in 2018, catching 77 passes for 1,052 yards and 6 TDs in 12 games.
That same year, the Giants rewarded him with a five-year, $95 million contract, demonstrating their faith in their star player.
Or so we thought.
A year later, Beckham was traded to the Browns in a head-scratching move by the Giants. In return, New York received a 2019 first-round pick, a 2019 third-round pick and safety Jabrill Peppers.
Odell tried to embrace his new city immediately, even customizing his car in Cleveland Browns colors.
On the field, Beckham’s first season in Cleveland was similar to his 2018 season as he amassed 1,035 yards and 4 TDs on 74 catches.
But that’s the brightest spot in Odell’s terrible tenure in Cleveland.
He fought through injuries and a disastrous Freddie Kitchens-led team in 2019. He tore his ACL in 2020 and so far this season he’s hurt his shoulder and has essentially been nonexistent.
In his five years with the Giants, he averaged 92.8 yards per game.
In three seasons with Cleveland, that average has tanked to 54.7.
The relationship seems forced, particularly with Baker Mayfield.
And despite fans and the media consistently calling for his involvement, disappointment arrives on a weekly basis.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski recognizes their frustration and knows how talented the 29-year-old Beckham is. Yet surprisingly, can’t seem to get him the ball.
He even deflects Odell-related questions in his responses.
“As I’ve mentioned before, he’s a dynamic football player,’’ said Stefanski. “He’s very front of mind when we are game planning and when we are calling plays. Sometimes the defense dictates if the ball goes elsewhere, and we are comfortable with that because we have good players elsewhere.”
At this point, Odell Beckham and the Cleveland Browns must divorce.
Beckham is too talented to be diminished, scrutinized and ridiculed for a dysfunctional relationship he didn’t ask for.
Odell must be freed from the restraints of an organization that has stained his resume.
He deserves the opportunity to salvage his career from the damage the Browns have done to it.
While most can probably echo this sentiment, Beckham, to his credit, has said nothing to disparage the team.
As a matter of fact, two weeks ago Beckham said he felt that he was in a “great situation” to accomplish the “ultimate goal” of winning a Super Bowl.
“There will be days where it is my day,” Beckham continued. “… It is what it is at this point. Like I said, my main focus was to be healthy, to be able to stay healthy, get through a season.”
He’s correct in saying that it is what it is.
And what it is is time.
Time for him to be traded, released or generally flee from this disastrous blight on an otherwise incredible career.
Beckham’s fan base should rally support for a “Free Odell” campaign that ultimately grants him his freedom and salvation from the Browns.
Understand, this is not a knock on the Browns.
Some things just don’t work out and this is one of those things.
So Cleveland, please free Odell and let him restart his career in a place that works for him, wherever that may be.
