Odell Beckham Jr. has a new home in a city he knows well.
Beckham is signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Kim Jones reported Thursday.
The deal is worth up to $4.25 million with a $500,000 signing bonus, Rapoport reported. Beckham will earn $750,000 for the rest of the season with another $3 million available in team-based incentives based on how the Rams finish in the regular season and postseason, including $500,000 for a Super Bowl win, Rapoport reported. Therefore, as noted by Rapoport, Beckham can earn more with the Rams than he was due with the Browns.
The disgruntled Beckham forced his way out of Cleveland last week after the Browns were unable to strike a deal to ship him elsewhere before the trade deadline. The 29-year-old receiver cleared waivers on Tuesday, allowing him to become a free agent and join any team of his choosing.
Prior to his official release, Beckham was excused from back-to-back practice sessions following a series of inflammatory online actions on the part of Beckham's father, who posted a video compilation of the moments in which his son was open, but Baker Mayfield did not throw him the ball. Odell Beckham Sr. followed up by responding affirmatively to comments disparaging Mayfield's motivation and ability.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry told reporters last Friday the video and online activity (including a tweet from LeBron James demanding Cleveland #FreeOBJ) alone did not prompt their parting of ways, but that a "series of discussions ... spanning back longer than that" led to the team releasing the star receiver.
Beckham now heads to the Rams, who boast a high-powered offense engineered by quarterback Matthew Stafford that currently ranks fourth in total yards per game, third in passing and fifth in scoring. Stafford already had a bevy of weapons at his disposal, including NFL receiving leader Cooper Kupp, and Beckham's arrival will only further strengthen their receiving corps.
At his best, Beckham has proven to be a Pro Bowl and All-Pro-caliber player. He's struggled to find similar success in recent years while battling multiple injuries, and caught just 50 percent of his targets in Cleveland through six games this season.
The star wideout will get a fresh start with a team that has certainly gone all-in on the 2021 season, acquiring edge rusher Von Miller via trade last week. We'll see if Beckham can capitalize on the opportunity in Los Angeles.
