New details emerge on the Odell Beckham Jr/Cleveland Browns drama
There’s been plenty of drama between Odell Beckham Jr. and the Cleveland Browns this week. Now, we’re learning more about what’s going on between the two sides.
On Tuesday, an 11-minute video surfaced from Beckham’s dad, showing routes in which Beckham was open, but Baker Mayfield threw somewhere else. As the trade deadline came and went, the Browns couldn’t find a trade partner — keeping Beckham in Cleveland.
Wednesday afternoon, ESPN’s Jordan Schultz reported Beckham has cut contact with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. Schultz also reported two teams — New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas — could be interested in Beckham if Cleveland releases him. The Raiders are down a receiver after releasing Henry Ruggs and the Saints lost Michael Thomas for the season with an ankle injury.
For now, though, Schultz said Beckham plans to play in Cleveland’s game against Cincinnati this week.
A few hours later, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Stefanski is preparing for life without Beckham the rest of the year.
“Having talked to some people who were in the room for Kevin [Stefanski] and what he said to the team, the sentiment that I got was, ‘Be prepared for Odell not to be part of the team the rest of the year,” Breer told 92.3 The Fan’s Bull and Fox Show.
Odell Beckham Jr. ‘excused’ from Browns practice following Baker Mayfield beef
The drama in Cleveland continues. The Browns allegedly “excused” star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from practice after he prepared to practice as usual on Wednesday.
On the Browns’ practice report, Beckham classified as “DNP,” or did not practice, due to a “non-injury related personal matter.”
Beckham’s tenure with the team has been filled with inconsistency, injuries, and frustration, and his chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield is lacking.
Beckham Jr.’s father recently posted an 11-minute video on Instagram that contained plays where Mayfield missed Beckham Jr. despite being open, per NFL reporter Dov Kleiman.
Beckham Jr. is in his third year with the Browns. In his first year in Cleveland, he played in all 16 games. He hauled in 74 receptions for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns. But since then, the inconsistency has been very apparent.
Last season, Beckham Jr. appeared in seven games, hauling in 23 receptions on 43 targets for 319 yards and three touchdowns. This year through six games, he has 17 receptions on 34 targets for 232 yards without a touchdown. The Browns have dealt with injuries and other issues on offense, which is the reason Beckham Jr. is the team’s second-leading receiver.
Mayfield is dealing with a serious shoulder injury that he intends to play through. On the season, Mayfield has thrown for 1,699 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Browns are 4-4 with a game versus the Cincinnati Bengals coming up on Sunday afternoon.