Report: Cleveland Browns looked into moving Odell Beckham Jr. to surprising destination

Odell Beckham Jr. has had a rocky career with the Cleveland Browns, hampered by injuries and playing just one full season since 2019. And after his frustration with the Browns offense — and, by extension, the Browns organization — was made public, the LSU product hoped to be traded by the NFL’s Nov. 2 deadline.

In the end, the deadline passed and the Browns were unable to trade Beckham. But shortly thereafter, ESPN reporter Kimberley Martin said that the Browns looked into dealing Beckham to a surprise destination, one that Beckham is more than familiar with: New Orleans, his hometown.

“I’m told there were discussions re: Odell going to the Saints — but both sides couldn’t agree on a workable deal, given how much OBJ is owed the rest of the year,” Martin tweeted. She also went onto note that the Browns may be just 4-4, but the organization hopes to make an end-of-season playoff push, and Beckham would be a large part of the offense.

Beckham carries a $14.5 million base salary in 2021, potentially more including bonuses; with the Browns having played eight games, Beckham is still owed roughly $7.68 million in base salary this season. He signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the New York Giants after his rookie contract expired, and he was later traded to the Browns. Beckham is under contract through 2023.

Beckham looked the part of a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver in his time with the New York Giants, bursting onto the scene with 91 receptions, 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games his rookie season and winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Then, in March of 2019, Beckham was traded to the Browns and just hasn’t been the same player since. His 1,300-plus yard rookie season with the Giants was followed by a 1,450-yard sophomore campaign, and a 1,367-yard third year, and all three of those totals come close to the 1,586 yards he’s tallied over three whole seasons with the Browns. He’s scored just seven touchdowns since moving to Cleveland, where he teamed up with fellow LSU product Jarvis Landry, and he’s played in 28 games over two-and-a-half seasons.

After a significant decline in usage with the Browns, coupled with a slew of frustrations voiced via social media, Beckham hoped to be traded by the deadline. Instead, the Browns will have to wait until the offseason to explore opportunities once again.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s father blasts Baker Mayfield

The Cleveland Browns could have a problem on their hands. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s tenure with the team has been filled with inconsistency, injuries, and frustration, and his chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield is lacking.

Beckham Jr.’s father recently posted an 11 minute video on Instagram that contained plays where Mayfield missed Beckham Jr. despite being open, per NFL reporter Dov Kleiman.

Beckham Jr. is in his third year with the Browns. In his first year in Cleveland, he played in all 16 games, hauling in 74 receptions for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns. But since then, the inconsistency has been very apparent.

Last season, Beckham Jr. appeared in seven games, hauling in 23 receptions on 43 targets for 319 yards and three touchdowns. This year through six games, he has 17 receptions on 34 targets for 232 yards without a touchdown. The Browns have dealt with injuries and other issues on offense, which is the reason Beckham Jr. is the team’s second leading receiver.

As the season progresses, the inconsistencies for Beckham Jr. could continue as Mayfield is dealing with a serious shoulder injury that he intends to play through. On the season, Mayfield has thrown for 1,699 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions.