Odell Beckham Jr. made his long-awaited free-agent decision Sunday afternoon.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Beckham signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens worth up to $18 million. Beckham appeared to confirm the news by posting two photos of his baby son, Zydn, wearing an oversized Lamar Jackson jersey.
“Flock,” Beckham wrote on Instagram.
The 30-year-old hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl two years ago. He had already scored a touchdown, his seventh in 12 games with the Los Angeles Rams.
Beckham now joins a Ravens squad that badly needs a playmaker at wide receiver. With Marquise Brown traded and Rashod Bateman sidelined for most of the 2022 season, Demarcus Robinson led the group with 458 receiving yards.
If healthy, OBJ could give Baltimore’s offense a much-needed jolt. However, the former New York Giants superstar is not guaranteed to return strong from his second ACL tear in three years.
Beckham also must hope he doesn’t need to get Zydn a new jersey. The Ravens remain marred in a contract dispute with Jackson, who publicly requested a trade.
Baltimore used the non-exclusive franchise tag on the star quarterback, meaning the team can match any signed offer sheet or let him go elsewhere for two compensatory first-round picks. Beckham’s photo shoot seems to suggest he signed with Baltimore hoping to catch passes from the 2019 MVP.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Beckham will receive a $13.835 million signing bonus and a $1.165 base salary. He can unlock the other $3 million by reaching performance-based incentives.