Odell Beckham Jr., the former star wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, had a quiet and somewhat underwhelming 2023 NFL season. Despite playing in 14 games, Beckham’s performance on the field was not up to his usual standards. However, considering that he missed the entire previous year due to injury, it was a relief to see him stay relatively healthy throughout the season. Unfortunately, it seems that Beckham’s career is now entering its twilight phase.
Let’s take a closer look at Beckham’s statistics during his time with the Ravens. He caught only 35 passes out of 64 targets, marking the lowest total of his career when playing in at least 12 games. In terms of yardage, Beckham accumulated 565 yards and scored three touchdowns, which is not terrible but certainly not worth the $16 million price tag. It is unlikely that Baltimore will be willing to invest such a large sum of money for that level of production.
Beckham, who is now 31 years old, signed a one-year contract worth $15 million last offseason. The deal included incentives that boosted his earnings to a total of $16 million for the past season. While he demonstrated that he can still play football, it is evident that his skills have declined from what they once were. Injuries have plagued Beckham, robbing him of what could have been some of his best years. It appears that he will continue to move from team to team in the coming years before eventually retiring.
Beckham is not the first wide receiver to experience this kind of career trajectory. Terrell Owens, for example, faded out in Dallas before making stops in Buffalo and Cincinnati in consecutive years before ultimately retiring. Owens could have potentially played for another year or two, as he managed to catch 72 passes in 2010 with the Bengals. However, the league ultimately made the decision for him to retire.
Fortunately for Beckham, he has generally been well-liked in NFL locker rooms. While there was some tension towards the end of his time in Cleveland with quarterback Baker Mayfield, it was mostly handled in a passive-aggressive manner, sparing anyone’s feelings from being hurt in person. Beckham will continue to play next year, but it is unlikely that he will remain in Baltimore unless he is willing to accept a significantly reduced salary.
The days of Beckham being the focal point for a championship-contending team are now in the past. However, he is still talented enough to secure a spot on most NFL rosters. The question now is where he will fall on the depth chart, as his age and numerous leg injuries have slowed him down. While Beckham’s career is far from over, those hoping for a miraculous return to his previous form will likely be left waiting in vain.
