With the start of free agency just days away, it feels like the consensus about the Los Angeles Rams is that they are ahead of schedule. At this time last offseason, general manager Les Snead was in the beginning stages of his roster “remodel,” which purged the Rams of many of their top players who were on bigger contracts.
Following a surprise playoff appearance, judging by Snead’s recent comments about his offseason approach, the Rams are back in the business of contending. If that is the case, it could lead them to bring back a familiar face in Odell Beckham Jr.
I know, it seems like a radical idea considering the season that rookie sensation Puka Nacua just had. However, you could say the same thing about the idea if you rewind to 2021. At the time, the Rams had their clear-cut No. 1 receiver in Cooper Kupp and were starting to see the emergence of then-second-year receiver Van Jefferson.
Yet, Jefferson’s breakout didn’t stop the Rams from making the “win-now” move of signing Beckham following his release from the Cleveland Browns.
Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFC Wild Card playoff football game at SoFi Stadium.
Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFC Wild Card playoff football game at SoFi Stadium.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison, as Beckham is now 31 years old and still trying to get back to his best following the ACL injury he suffered in the Rams’ Super Bowl LIV win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Yet, if contending for a Super Bowl is once again the goal for the Rams, they’d share a mutual interest with Beckham.
Beckham is once again set to be a free agent this offseason, and according to a recent report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he is even “unlikely” to re-sign with the Baltimore Ravens despite a seemingly overall positive experience.
Beckham played in 14 of 17 games for the Ravens this past season, totaling 565 yards and three touchdowns on 35 receptions. It isn’t the production that Beckham has had in the past, and he may not reach that level again. Still, Beckham could bring valuable experience and prior chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford for a Rams team with plenty of young talent.
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That pre-existing relationship between Beckham and not only Stafford but also McVay and Snead could prove useful if talks are had. But the potential stumbling block would come financially.
The Rams have $40 million in projected cap space this offseason, according to OverTheCap. If Beckham’s one-year, $15 million deal signed last offseason indicates his desires this year, then the Rams may not want to pay him to be the team’s third receiver.
