Odell Beckham, Miami Dolphins agree to part ways. What was OBJ's contract? What's next?
Odell Beckham Jr. was expected to form a fearsome wide receiver trio with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and send the Miami Dolphins' offense through the stratosphere. Those dreams are now officially over.
The Dolphins and the once-electrifying wide receiver agreed to part ways Friday, as first reported by NFL Network. According to the report, OBJ is looking for a team who can give him more opportunities, something that's been hard to come by in Miami. Beckham had missed practice this week for personal reasons.
The 11-year veteran had just nine catches in nine games for the Dolphins. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and was the Offensive Rookie of the Year with the New York Giants in 2014, and he was a key part of the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
"We communicated transparently," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday. "It led us into a direction that was best for both parties."
Here's what we know about the OBJ release, including what's next for the Dolphins and Beckham:
Why did Dolphins release Odell Beckham Jr?
OBJ was brought on to be the third receiver on a scary Dolphins offense featuring Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who both exceeded 1,000 yards over their first two seasons together. His strength running routes over the middle was thought to be a key piece in getting Miami deeper in the playoffs.
But Beckham's season got off to a slow start because of a knee injury. He wasn't able to start practicing until October, and he made his debut when Tua Tagovailoa was still on injured reserve with a concussion. When Tua did return, Beckham didn't have the same burst as he did earlier in his career, and tight end Jonnu Smith rose into the role of third receiver.
Running back De'Von Achane also has been a weapon in the passing game: His 63 catches are second on the team. Throw in River Cracraft's impact in run blocking and rookie Malik Washington's use on special teams, and there just wasn't room for OBJ, leading to his mutual split from the team.
Odell Beckham stats
In nine games with the Dolphins, Beckham had nine catches for 55 yards. He was targeted 18 times.
Last year with the Baltimore Ravens, OBJ had 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns from NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. He did not play in 2022 after tearing his ACL during the Super Bowl when he was with the Rams.
Odell Beckham contract
Beckham signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins worth $3 million over the offseason. Any team who signs him through waivers will pay the remainder of his base salary, which Mike Florio reported would be $500,000. If he clears waivers, OBJ would become a free agent.
OBJ age
Odell Beckham Jr. was born Nov. 5, 1992. He turned 32 days after making his first three catches with the Dolphins, gaining 15 yards in a Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
What's next for the Dolphins after OBJ release?
The Dolphins will need some roster flexibility moving forward as players like Bradley Chubb, returning from a knee injury, become ready to play. They could also activate wide receiver Grant DuBose, who has value on special teams.
Who signs Odell Beckham? Steelers? Chiefs? Eagles?
Beckham said he wanted to leave for a team that would give him more targets, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That would likely rule out several contenders like the Philadelphia Eagles, whose receiver hierarchy is ruled by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. A return to the Baltimore Ravens also seems unlikely after the team declined to re-sign him after a solid year in 2023.
The most likely contenders to ask after Beckham's services are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers don't have a ton of depth at receiver behind George Pickens, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Their top wideouts without Pickens are Calvin Austin and Van Jefferson, who have 41 catches combined, less than their top tight end, Pat Freiermuth.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs have been searching for lead options at wide receiver since Rashee Rice went down with a knee injury. They do have DeAndre Hopkins, who has 30 receptions for 357 yards and four touchdowns in seven games since coming over at the trade deadline, but rookie Xavier Worthy has been hit-or-miss and leading receiver Travis Kelce has just 682 yards on 80 catches.
Contributing: Joe Schad, The Palm Beach Post