Odell Beckham Jr. has forced his way out of two organizations during his career. In both situations, he placed the blame on everyone but himself. But now that he’s with the Los Angeles Rams and headed to the Super Bowl, he feels right “at home.”
That’s a significant admission for Beckham, who very nearly passed over the Rams in favor of the New England Patriots or New Orleans Saints upon clearing waivers this season. In the end however, OBJ made the right choice and hitched his wagon to a Super Bowl-bound team out of sheer luck.
But will that ride in Los Angeles continue after Sunday?
Beckham is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. Following his career resurgence, he is likely to draw the interest of several teams. And those teams could very well throw a boatload of cash at him. That, of course, is problematic for the Rams, who are projected to be more than $8.5 million over the 2022 cap.
So, would Beckham do something he’s never done before and take a pay cut to help a team out? Without the offers flowing in and no immediate temptation to consider, Beckham says yes.
I asked Odell Beckham Jr. about his future beyond Sunday and if he’d sacrifice salary to stick with the Rams. The answer was a quick “yeah, of course!” with a smile.
“This place, it feels good in my heart. It feels like a home.”
— Nick Shook (@TheNickShook) February 11, 2022
“Yeah, of course! This place, it feels good in my heart. It feels like a home,” Beckham said during a media availability session for the Super Bowl
Los Angeles feels like home for Beckham because he’s no longer the lightning rod he was in Cleveland or New York. Now, he’s just a secondary option at wide receiver on a team littered with superstar talent. He doesn’t have to shoulder the pressure of lifting everyone up, and his miscues no longer get thrust under a microscope and picked apart.
Life is easier for Beckham in Los Angeles. But the Benjamins talk, and at 29 years old, the opportunities for big-money, long-term contracts are running out. That’s something Beckham’s agent is likely to remind him come March, so we’ll see if he stays true to his word and gives the Rams a discount.
Photo: Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) reacts before a NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
