Last weekend, Odell Beckham Jr. agreed to a one-year contract with the Ravens that’s worth up to $18 million. Before that deal was finalized, he apparently received a “very competitive offer” from another AFC team.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Jets were in the mix for Beckham.
Beckham reportedly had interest in teaming up with Aaron Rodgers, albeit he’s not officially a member of the Jets yet. At the end of the day, the Ravens won the sweepstakes by offering $15 million guaranteed.
“That’s something the Jets couldn’t quite get to,” Fowler said, via Bleacher Report. “Maybe if there was more time, they would’ve gotten close enough to get it done. I do believe Beckham was intrigued about playing with Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers was intrigued about playing with Beckham. Just didn’t come together, but it was very close.”
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The #Jets made a “very competitive” offer to FA WR Odell Beckham Jr before he signed with Baltimore, per @JFowlerESPN
Beckham “probably should’ve been a Jet” based on how close the two sides were to agreeing. The Ravens seemed to have swooped in and took Beckham. pic.twitter.com/Wgb4v2WUvb
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) April 15, 2023
Oddly enough, Beckham wasn’t assured that Lamar Jackson will be the starting quarterback for the Ravens in 2023. He is certainly hopeful that’s the case.
“The goal is to come here and have that possibility to play with him,” Beckham said. “I’m excited about that opportunity. My thoughts would be that he would be here. I know that these two [General Manager Eric DeCosta and Head Coach John Harbaugh] want him to be here. At the end of the day, that’s going to be up to them.”
Beckham missed the 2022 season due to a torn ACL.