Odell Beckham Jr. addresses controversies with previous teams

Time and time again, Odell Beckham Jr. made the news during his previous tenures — mostly in a negative light. He addressed these occurrences during his media appearance Monday in preparation for Super Bowl 56 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“You realize that you’re carrying other people’s problems. It’s weighing you down,” Beckham Jr. said. The Rams wide receiver emphasized that he felt like he was caught up during his previous tenures with the Browns and Giants that he was trying to prove people wrong. Says he’s in a better place now all-around.

Beckham’s tenure with the Browns was filled with inconsistency, injuries, and frustration, and Cleveland looked to find a new home for Beckham before the trade deadline. They were ultimately unable to find a suitable trade, however, so the Browns released him. When the LSU product cleared waivers, he became an unrestricted free agent.

Beckham looked the part of a three-time Pro Bowl selection in his time with the New York Giants, bursting onto the scene with 91 receptions, 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games his rookie season and winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

In March of 2019, Beckham was traded to the Browns and hasn’t been the same player since. His 1,300-plus yard rookie season with the Giants was followed by a 1,450-yard sophomore campaign, and a 1,367-yard third year, and all three of those totals come close to the 1,586 yards he tallied over three seasons with the Browns.

After a significant decline in usage that was coupled with social media frustrations, Beckham hoped to be traded by the deadline and was. But now, he’ll find himself on a loaded Rams roster looking to compete for a Super Bowl.

Since he joined Rams head coach Sean McVay’s explosive offense, the former Browns receiver has tallied 27 receptions on 48 targets for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular season games in Los Angeles. In the playoffs he’s put up even more efficient numbers, catching 19 of his 23 targets for 236 yards and one score in just three games.

If Beckham can keep the consistency up, the Rams passing attack might be too much for the Bengals to handle. The Lombardi Trophy is in everyone’s sights.

“I think LA is a city of winners, a city of champions. We got to try to finish the deal this week,” McVay said.