Odell Beckham Jr. is entering the twilight of his career. After a relatively quiet 2023 NFL season, Beckham’s future in the league is uncertain. While he managed to stay primarily healthy throughout the season, his production on the field was not up to par.
Beckham played 14 games with the Baltimore Ravens, catching only 35 balls on 64 targets. This is the lowest total of his career when playing in at least 12 games. He added 565 yards and three touchdowns, which is not a bad performance, but it’s unlikely that Baltimore will be willing to pay another $16 million for that level of production.
At 31 years old, Beckham has shown that he can still play football, but not at the level we once saw. Injuries have plagued him in recent years, robbing him of what should have been some of his best years. Now, it seems like he will be floating around from team to team, year to year, before ultimately retiring.
Beckham won’t be the first or last receiver to follow this path. Terrell Owens, for example, had stops in Buffalo and Cincinnati after fading out in Dallas. Owens probably could have played for another year or two, as he caught 72 passes in 2010 with the Bengals, but the league ultimately made the decision for him to retire.
Fortunately for Beckham, he has been well-liked in NFL locker rooms for the most part. While there may have been some animosity towards the end of his time in Cleveland with Baker Mayfield, it was handled in a passive-aggressive manner. Beckham will likely find a roster spot on most NFL teams, but he will no longer be the focal point for a contender.
As Beckham crosses the threshold of 30 years old and deals with lingering leg injuries, his speed and agility may be compromised. While he is still a talented player, it’s unlikely that he will be able to reach the heights he once did as one of the top wide receivers in the league.
In conclusion, Odell Beckham Jr. is entering the twilight of his career. While he can still contribute to a team, he will no longer be the dominant force he once was. Beckham’s future in the NFL is uncertain, and he may have to accept lesser deals and a lower spot on the depth chart. For those waiting for him to return to his former glory, it may be a long wait.
