Shortly after being waived by the Cleveland Browns, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. ended up with the Los Angeles Rams. It was reportedly a desired destination for Beckham, but a dream that almost didn’t come to fruition.
While appearing on The Dan Patrick Podcast, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said the Rams didn’t become involved in the Odell pursuit until midway through the process. The reason? The Rams were holding out on another potential waiver claim.
“I would say close. The question was all along if L.A. had an opportunity that’s where he was going to go. I would say [Los Angeles wasn’t involved] until mid-way through the process,” Payton told Patrick.
Los Angeles had placed a claim on former Tennessee Titans receiver Josh Reynolds and were waiting for the process to play out. The Rams were familiar with Reynolds, who played for the team from 2017 through 2020. The Rams lost Reynolds to the Detroit Lions, who were higher on the waiver priority list. It’s no surprise Detroit claimed Reynolds considering the former Rams who are now part of the Lions’ front office.
After the Lions scooped up Reynolds, the Rams dove in on Beckham. The rest, as they say, is history.
Los Angeles inked Beckham to a one-year, fully guaranteed $1.25 million deal. He caught two receptions on three targets for 18 yards in his debut with the team — a 31-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Image: Oct 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) warms up before the game between the Browns and the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
