OBJ signs with LA Rams. Wait, maybe the Packers... no it is the Rams.

[SeoulSoxFan]

It's finally happening. Cleveland is planning to release the WR:

https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/2195300

Florio on where he may land:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/11/04/where-will-odell-beckham-land/

As he's an obvious interest to the Pats, opening a new thread.

 

[TSC]

Is OBJ one of those guys Belichick has shown an unusual appreciation for?

He always has those guys, and for some reason I feel like OBJ may have been one.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Don’t think the Pats are good enough for OBJ to consider to revamp his image for a new contract. Probably one of:

Rams
Ravens
Cowboys
Cardinals
Bills
Bucs

 

[ragnarok725]

Is OBJ one of those guys Belichick has shown an unusual appreciation for?

He always has those guys, and for some reason I feel like OBJ may have been one.

Sounds like OBJ may get hit with the same trash talk BB used to give to 85.

https://www.bardown.com/apparently-bill-belichick-drops-the-same-trash-talk-on-obj-every-time-the-two-meet-1.1386190

 

[Saints Rest]

The article posted claimed that “ Beckham and the Browns are expected to work out a revised contract that reduces the amount the team would owe him in the event he's not claimed on waivers, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.”
If that happens, does that revision change the calculus of a team considering claiming him on waivers?
I can’t imagine any team would take him with his existing contract, which means that next week he will be a FA and can have some say in his next destination.
Above are listed the marquee teams relative to SB chances this year, but will Odell want to go somewhere to be 3rd or 4th fiddle the way AB did last year in Tampa? Or will he want to go somewhere where he will get the targets he craves?

 

[cshea]

Putting aside scheme and fit, it doesn't feel like the Patriots are the best landing spot mid-season. I'm assuming he'll look to latch on with a contender and put up some numbers before hitting the market again in the spring. Bill is still a draw but the Pats are 4-4 with a rookie QB. I don't think they'll be as appealing as the Packers, Chiefts, etc. who may call.

 

[cshea]

The article posted claimed that “ Beckham and the Browns are expected to work out a revised contract that reduces the amount the team would owe him in the event he's not claimed on waivers, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.”
If that happens, does that revision change the calculus of a team considering claiming him on waivers?
I can’t imagine any team would take him with his existing contract, which means that next week he will be a FA and can have some say in his next destination.
Above are listed the marquee teams relative to SB chances this year, but will Odell want to go somewhere to be 3rd or 4th fiddle the way AB did last year in Tampa? Or will he want to go somewhere where he will get the targets he craves?

Schefter seems to imply they are reworking the deal to hopefully entice a team to claim him. That would get the Browns off the hook entirely, I believe.

View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1456579889847537665?s=20

 

[JohnnyK]

View: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1456596454500413447


Someone is anxious

 

[BigJimEd]

Schefter seems to imply they are reworking the deal to hopefully entice a team to claim him. That would get the Browns off the hook entirely, I believe.

View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1456579889847537665?s=20

What am I missing here? Because I don't see how this helps either side.

How do the Browns save money by converting all his salary expect the minimum to bonus? They are still paying him the money except possibly the minimum salary if claimed but if he was signed as a FA for the minimum, that salary would still be offset, correct?

From OBJ perspective, why would he do anything to increase chancing of getting claimed as opposed to being a free agent? Is he getting more money out of the deal?


edit: I guess from OBJ perspective, it may be a way to get out of Cleveland faster if they are threatening to keep him for the season. I don't see the Browns doing this but could see OBJ just doing whatever it takes to get out of there.

 

[Average Game James]

What am I missing here? Because I don't see how this helps either side.

How do the Browns save money by converting all his salary expect the minimum to bonus? They are still paying him the money except possibly the minimum salary if claimed but if he was signed as a FA for the minimum, that salary would still be offset, correct?

From OBJ perspective, why would he do anything to increase chancing of getting claimed as opposed to being a free agent? Is he getting more money out of the deal?

I don't think it's clear they are converting "all" base salary to bonus - to your point, that does nothing to help the Browns, so it seems more likely they are converting a portion of the base into bonus to increase the odds OBJ gets claimed and save at least some money. Maybe they are telling OBJ this is the only way they will release him, otherwise he just sits the rest of the year. There's no real financial upside to just releasing him and him becoming a FA since they would need to replace him on the roster, so then it's just a question of whether they'd actually eat a roster spot the rest of the season just to spite OBJ.

 

[BigJimEd]

I was going off of this Rapoport tweet. It does say "near the minimum" not the minimum. Poor reading comprehension on my part. I guess I'll get another cup of coffee while I wait to see how much that actually is.

View: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1456598642362667009

 

[Super Nomario]

How do the Browns save money by converting all his salary expect the minimum to bonus? They are still paying him the money except possibly the minimum salary if claimed but if he was signed as a FA for the minimum, that salary would still be offset, correct?

I think it depends on how the contract is written; they don't all have offsets.

EDIT: I see Jeremy Fowler reporting Beckham's contract does have offsets.

From OBJ perspective, why would he do anything to increase chancing of getting claimed as opposed to being a free agent? Is he getting more money out of the deal?

He doesn't have to agree to have salary converted to bonus, it's written in that teams can just do this. If they want to reduce, convert to incentive, extend, etc., that's a new deal, but teams can just convert salary to bonus (and there's no downside for Beckham, who gets the same money).

 

[BigJimEd]

I think it depends on how the contract is written; they don't all have offsets.


He doesn't have to agree to have salary converted to bonus, it's written in that teams can just do this. If they want to reduce, convert to incentive, extend, etc., that's a new deal, but teams can just convert salary to bonus (and there's no downside for Beckham, who gets the same money).

Interesting. I was not aware of this. Thank you.

 

[cshea]

Without knowing the full details of the restructure and cap implications and what not, would think he lands in KC or someone in that range (Falcons? 49ers?). The Chiefs offense is sputtering and, whatever you think of Beckham's talent level, he's gotta be an upgrade on Josh Gordon.

 

[Mooch]

Without knowing the full details of the restructure and cap implications and what not, would think he lands in KC or someone in that range (Falcons? 49ers?). The Chiefs offense is sputtering and, whatever you think of Beckham's talent level, he's gotta be an upgrade on Josh Gordon.

Yeah, it really depends what a restructured cap number looks like. The Falcons are right up against the cap as far as I can tell so if there's any number over say, $2M, they won't be a player. The Pats appear to have over $4M in space and I think the Chiefs are around $3M.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Lazar thinks OBJ is a perfect fit for NE's offense:

View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1456605763875622915


I'm probably reading too much into it but the sense of resignation in that Tweet is quite palpable.

 

[DJnVa]

He doesn't have to agree to have salary converted to bonus, it's written in that teams can just do this. If they want to reduce, convert to incentive, extend, etc., that's a new deal, but teams can just convert salary to bonus (and there's no downside for Beckham, who gets the same money).

Isn't the downside that he can no longer decide where to go--since this makes him more claimable? If the Jets claim him, he's stuck.

 

[Willie Clay's Big Play]

View: https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1456626988765089794?s=20

Current waiver order. Pats are 15th.

 

[Cellar-Door]

View: https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1456626988765089794?s=20

Current waiver order. Pats are 15th.

can't imagine he makes it to them. SEA, IND, MIN all seem like good bets, plus SF, PHI, ATL have to consider it.

 

[cshea]

I'm confused by that list. It doesn't align with the standings. For instance, I would've thought the Patriots would be behind the Chiefs because in the actual standings, the Patriots own the tiebreaker and are therefor ahead of KC. Do they use last seasons record or something? I don't understand Green Bay at 28 vs. Arizona at 32. And the 5-2 Ravens are behind the 7-1 Packers?

 

[DJnVa]

I'm confused by that list. It doesn't align with the standings. For instance, I would've thought the Patriots would be behind the Chiefs because in the actual standings, the Patriots own the tiebreaker and are therefor ahead of KC. Do they use last seasons record or something? I don't understand Green Bay at 28 vs. Arizona at 32. And the 5-2 Ravens are behind the 7-1 Packers?

Because those teams may have already claimed someone? You drop to bottom of list when you make a claim right?

 

[glennhoffmania]

Lazar thinks OBJ is a perfect fit for NE's offense:

View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1456605763875622915


I'm probably reading too much into it but the sense of resignation in that Tweet is quite palpable.

Based on that description, if it's accurate, what team wouldn't be a great fit?

 

[E5 Yaz]

Florio (radio interview) says OBJ would like to go to Seattle

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Can he block?

I have no faith in the Seahawks to be able to utilize a player like OBJ. Feels like it would be Jimmy Graham all over again.

 

[Phil Plantier]

This is really interesting from the Browns. How much of this is getting salary cap relief and how much of it is making sure he goes to a non-contender?

Every single team should claim him. If he can be rehabilitated, he's a bargain on that contract.

 

[E5 Yaz]

This is really interesting from the Browns. How much of this is getting salary cap relief and how much of it is making sure he goes to a non-contender?

Every single team should claim him. If he can be rehabilitated, he's a bargain on that contract.

I wonder how many teams have received the "if you claim him he won't be happy" warning

 

[Cellar-Door]

Based on that description, if it's accurate, what team wouldn't be a great fit?

Yeah, if you assume you get the best of OBJ over the last 5 years consistently without the worst he's a great fit everywhere. If you get the OBJ who drops half his passes, doesn't run good routes when he's a decoy, complains constantly about his stats even when the team wins, and is wildly inconsistent he's not a great fit anywhere.

Honestly at this point, one of the best OBJ comps over the last 3 seasons..... Nelson Agholor, but with less big plays. They have similar yardage totals, a bit fewer catches for Agholor, but he has the better average because he caught more of his targets, and a lot more TDs.

 

[MuppetAsteriskTalk]

This is really interesting from the Browns. How much of this is getting salary cap relief and how much of it is making sure he goes to a non-contender?

Every single team should claim him. If he can be rehabilitated, he's a bargain on that contract.

It almost seems like they correctly figured out that either way, they are going to end up paying him. So why not do it up front and remove his ability to dictate where he wants to go. I don't blame them, if that's what they are doing.

 

[E5 Yaz]

So why not do it up front and remove his ability to dictate where he wants to go.

Unless he's not claimed, and he can dictate where he goes

 

[deanx0]

This would be an awesome 1-hour NFL network special this weekend. One-by-one each team in waiver order has to "Yes" or "No" a waiver claim until we get to the "Yes"

 

[DanoooME]

Can he block?

I have no faith in the Seahawks to be able to utilize a player like OBJ. Feels like it would be Jimmy Graham all over again.

Agreed. And I can't believe he's going to accept being third fiddle to Lockett and Metcalf. Freddie Swain, the #3 receiver, gets 3 targets per game. That's what OBJ will get, maybe a little more at the expense of TE and RB, which Pete generally doesn't do. He's not going to increase the volume of the passing offense, so if he's willing to accept that and not be a PITA, then fine.

There are too many teams out there that a) need him and b) will utilize him better. I just don't see Seattle claiming him, even if he comes cheap.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

This would be an awesome 1-hour NFL network special this weekend. One-by-one each team in waiver order has to "Yes" or "No" a waiver claim until we get to the "Yes"

“I’m taking my talents to Revere Beach.”

 

[scott bankheadcase]

Agreed. And I can't believe he's going to accept being third fiddle to Lockett and Metcalf. Freddie Swain, the #3 receiver, gets 3 targets per game. That's what OBJ will get, maybe a little more at the expense of TE and RB, which Pete generally doesn't do. He's not going to increase the volume of the passing offense, so if he's willing to accept that and not be a PITA, then fine.

There are too many teams out there that a) need him and b) will utilize him better. I just don't see Seattle claiming him, even if he comes cheap.

They'll do it just to block SF from getting him.

 

[Oil Can Dan]

I don't get the appeal of OBJ at this point. He's basically a 50 yard per game WR at best on the field and an well-known headache off of it.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

I don't get the appeal of OBJ at this point. He's basically a 50 yard per game WR at best on the field and an well-known headache off of it.

Right, his appeal is based on past performance and personality.

 

[BigJimEd]

There's also the near minimum salary. That will likely make OBJ worth the risk for some teams. If he is only a 50 yd/gm receiver than that is still value at that price and you can move on in the offseason. Maybe he improves and shows more and then the team has choices in the offseason. Keep him at 15M, Trade him or cut him at no cost.

There's very little risk here. If he's too much of a headache he can be cut at anytime. You lose a little salary and tie up a roster for how many days he's on the roster.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Wow... Not sure OBJ is worth it and comparing him to Nelson Agholor... That's something. This would be like the second coming of Moss. Passed his prime in his late 20's, headache for his former teams because he wants the damn ball. May end the same way as well but he would produce for at least a year or two and at a high level.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Wow... Not sure OBJ is worth it and comparing him to Nelson Agholor... That's something. This would be like the second coming of Moss. Passed his prime in his late 20's, headache for his former teams because he wants the damn ball. May end the same way as well but he would produce for at least a year or two and at a high level.

Except Moss was great when he was at his peak, all-time great, and even his "bad" years in OAK, he was a top 30 and top 40 Y/TGT guy (with bad catch rates).
Since his year lost to injury, Beckham hasn't been top 40 in Y/TGT once. He was top 50 among qualifiers his last year in NY, then he's been a 75+ in the league guy.

Beckham has not shown he's a top WR in quite a while. 2016 he was good not great, every year since he's been a reputation over production guy. I comped him to Agholor because... that's who he produces like (actually it's generous Agholor is more productive). Comparing him to Randy Moss is crazy.

Edit- If you prefer we could use Sammy Watkins? Maybe Ted Ginn? Guys who had a couple good years early then faded into mediocrity, those are the guys producing like Beckham in terms of catch rates and yards per target.

 

[MuppetAsteriskTalk]

Unless he's not claimed, and he can dictate where he goes

Agreed. But I think the point is that he is much more likely to be claimed if the Browns already picked up the tab.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Except Moss was great when he was at his peak, all-time great, and even his "bad" years in OAK, he was a top 30 and top 40 Y/TGT guy (with bad catch rates).
Since his year lost to injury, Beckham hasn't been top 40 in Y/TGT once. He was top 50 among qualifiers his last year in NY, then he's been a 75+ in the league guy.

Beckham has not shown he's a top WR in quite a while. 2016 he was good not great, every year since he's been a reputation over production guy. I comped him to Agholor because... that's who he produces like (actually it's generous Agholor is more productive). Comparing him to Randy Moss is crazy.

Edit- If you prefer we could use Sammy Watkins? Maybe Ted Ginn? Guys who had a couple good years early then faded into mediocrity, those are the guys producing like Beckham in terms of catch rates and yards per target.

I knew someone would twist that... I'm not comparing Moss to Beckham, only in the facts that I mentioned and them having similar paths to this team if it were to happen. OBJ would be a major contributor here in this offense.

Beyond that, are yards per target really the best measure of a WR's ability? And are counting his stats from last year an accurate view of what he's capable of?

 

[Cellar-Door]

I knew someone would twist that... I'm not comparing Moss to Beckham, only in the facts that I mentioned and them having similar paths to this team if it were to happen. OBJ would be a major contributor here in this offense.

Beyond that, are yards per target really the best measure of a WR's ability? And are counting his stats from last year an accurate view of what he's capable of?

YPT can be usefull in combination with other things like catch rate etc, especially if you only look at qualifiers, it can help you figure out who is getting yards by being productive and who is just accumulating a ton of looks and not doing much with them (so guys who either catch a lot of passes for modest gains, or guys with lower catch rates, but more production per catch) And I'm not looking at last year, I'm looking at 2017-2021. At a certain point when you've got 4-5 years of not being a particularly good player in a row, I'm not real convinced that it's a slump or something and the 2 years you were good (especially with injuries and age inbetween) are your real skill level.

I would take OBJ here, he's a solid enough WR #2, he's similar to Agholor, who is arguably our most talented WR. I'm just pointing out that Lazar making him sound like he's AJ Brown out there is silly stuff based on his last 5 years

 

[johnmd20]

I would take OBJ here, he's a solid enough WR #2, he's similar to Agholor, who is arguably our most talented WR. I'm just pointing out that Lazar making him sound like he's AJ Brown out there is silly stuff based on his last 5 years

I wouldn't take Odell if he was free. He is not good and he's a real problem in the locker room.

Does Mac Jones or the Pats really want to put up with this oft injured, oft dropping passes headache? No way. Belichick won't touch this guy and put Mac's growth at risk. Moss was at least elite, with a capital E. Odell is a middling WR who was one great but well past his prime and someone who also gets injured every 5th time he's hit.

He made one amazing catch in 2014. He's been coasting on that catch for 5 years.

 

[azsoxpatsfan]

I wouldn't take Odell if he was free. He is not good and he's a real problem in the locker room.

Does Mac Jones or the Pats really want to put up with this oft injured, oft dropping passes headache? No way. Belichick won't touch this guy and put Mac's growth at risk. Moss was at least elite, with a capital E. Odell is a middling WR who was one great but well past his prime and someone who also gets injured every 5th time he's hit.

He made one amazing catch in 2014. He's been coasting on that catch for 5 years.

Yea, OBJ was good once, but not here in 2019

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Yea, OBJ was good once, but not here in 2019

Or 2021.

 

[amfox1]

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
1m

As part of the settlement of the reworked contract before it is terminated, the Browns agreed to remove the final two years of Odell Beckham Jr.’s deal, meaning he now is scheduled to be a free agent after this season, per sources. Beckham had two years left on his deal.

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
36s

Additionally, any team that claims Odell Beckham Jr. would inherit $7.25 million of salary for the remainder of the season, per sources. The cost is considered high for a player that now will be considered a rental with this being the last year of his contract.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Yeah, he's not getting claimed by anybody. This was a tactic for the Browns to owe him less, but still high enough base salary where he wouldn't get claimed and he'd become a free agent.
View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1456744767983955971

 

[amfox1]

Teams with >$7.25mm in cap space (waiver priority)

JAX (4), WFT (7), PHI (8), SEA (9), DEN (16), CLE (17), CAR (19), LAC (20), PIT (21), CIN (22)

 

[RedOctober3829]

Teams with >$7.25mm in cap space

JAX(nope), WFT(nope), PHI(nope), SEA(maybe), DEN(nope), CLE, CAR(nope), LAC(don't need him), PIT(maybe), CIN(don't need him)

I see two teams on your list that may claim him and that's Seattle and Pittsburgh.

 

[RedOctober3829]

This may be relevant to anybody claiming OBJ with the thought of claiming him and being a rental.

View: https://twitter.com/nickkorte/status/1456746255271428096

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Looks like he won't be waived until Monday, so the games this weekend will affect the waiver order. (According to Miguel.)

Not sure it matters since I doubt he gets claimed.