During the 2025 Fanatics Fest convention, former New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said he would give up the Super Bowl ring he won with the Los Angeles Rams if it meant he could go back in time and win one with Big Blue.
Beckham is currently a free agent, and speculation quickly rose that a reunion between him and New York could be in the works. Speculation grew even further when Beckham posted a picture on Instagram with him and his son Zydn outside MetLife Stadium.
Beckham was one of the better players in the league during his time in New York from 2014 to 2018 and was a fan favorite. In his five years with the Giants, he caught 390 passes for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns. He was named 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, voted to the Pro Bowl three times, and was named second-team All-Pro in 2015 and 2016.
He was on pace to break all of the franchise’s receiving records until then-general manager Dave Gettleman traded him to the Cleveland Browns for Jabril Peppers and two 2019 draft picks that became Dexter Lawrence, and Oshane Ximines.
While acquiring Lawrence has worked out well for the Giants, they were unable to find a number one receiver after OBJ until they drafted Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Ironically, Nabers idolized Beckham growing up, and both were standouts at LSU. Now there’s a possibility the two could be teammates.
Should the Giants bring Beckham back? We sort through it all.
Giants have nothing to lose
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We see this constantly in training camp where teams bring in a veteran player to see what they have left in the tank. If they perform better than expected and can help your team win, you sign them. If they don’t, you cut them. The Giants did this last year when they brought in Allen Robinson.
New York could do this with OBJ, who turns 33 in November. If he’s healthy, he might have one or two more productive seasons left. Injuries have slowed him down, but he’s still a solid route runner who can play on the outside and in the slot.
Back in 2023, Giants co-owner John Mara stated the team hasn’t closed the door on bringing Beckham back to New York, and that he would be in favor of it. If Mara still has that sentiment, perhaps the team will invite their 2014 first-round pick to training camp.
Top three wide receiver spots solidified
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While bringing back one of the more electric players in franchise history would be nostalgic for fans, from a team perspective, it wouldn’t make much sense. The top three positions in the Giants’ receiving corps are solidified with Nabers, Darius Slayton, and Wan’Dale Robinson.
In addition, although Jalin Hyatt has been a disappointment in his first two seasons, the team is optimistic that he could have a breakout season with Russell Wilson at quarterback.
Since Beckham wouldn’t contribute on special teams, there isn’t a spot for him on the team.
Conclusion: Giants should pass on Beckham reunion
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Since the Giants traded OBJ to the Browns following the 2018 season, he’s had only one 1,000-yard season, which was in 2019 when he caught 74 passes for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns. The following season, he was limited to seven games due to a torn ACL, and then he suffered another ACL tear in Super Bowl LVI while helping the Rams to a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
He sat out the 2022 season and signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, catching 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns. In 2024, he appeared in nine games for the Miami Dolphins and had just nine receptions for 55 yards.
When you factor in OBJ’s recent production and how the Giants’ receiving room is constructed with young and talented receivers, the team should pass on a reunion with Beckham, unless one of the receivers on the roster suffers an injury.