CLEVELAND, Ohio — Odell Beckham Jr. hasn’t slammed the door on his return to the Browns, but that’s unlikely at this point.
When fan on twitter on Tuesday urged Beckham to return to the Browns, Beckham, an unrestricted free agent, replied, “Lol, that’s interesting.”
A source told cleveland.com that Beckham was open to the possibility because he loved his teammates and Browns fans and only left when the Baker Mayfield situation reached the point of no return.
But now that Mayfield is gone and three-time pro bowler Deshawn Watson is here, Beckham, 29, isn’t ruling out returning if the Browns are interested.
On the plus side, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam are very fond of Beckham and have bonded with him over the two plus seasons here. He also has the full support of his former Browns teammates, who hate his departure. Even after his father, Odell Beckham Sr., shared a video of “Odell Beckham Jr. is always open,” players such as defender John Johnson III said they would welcome him with open arms into the locker room.
Miles Garrett was also a big supporter of Beckham and expressed his dismay at the players’ lack of input before the Browns released him. Beckham, of course, helped the Rams win the Super Bowl, but tore his ACL again in the second quarter of a 23–20 victory over the Bengals.
Beckham caught the first touchdown of the game, a 17-yard hit by Matthew Stafford, and also caught a 35-yard pass to set up another score before tearing his cruciate ligament again without making contact with his third and final target. a game.
In his eight regular season games with the Rams, Beckham caught five TD passes, and in his four playoff games, he caught two. This was after no touchdowns in his six games for the Browns last season.
Beckham had surgery again shortly after the Super Bowl and is in the midst of another lengthy rehab but could return to the field in 2022. The first time he tore his cruciate ligament on October 25, 2020 against the Bengals, he returned to the field. field for the Browns in 11 months. If he needs that much time again, he will miss most or all of the 2022 season but plans to resume his career.
The Browns also had to overcome the controversial and explosive nature of Beckham’s exit last season, and that’s unlikely at this point.
But the Browns didn’t burn any bridges with Beckham, making sure he didn’t get a waiver last season and allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Browns still working on Baker Mayfield trade
Even though Mayfield’s landing spots are drying up, the Browns are still actively trying to trade him and would prefer to do so as soon as possible. While the Colts, Saints and Falcons have settled into their starting positions, the Seahawks are one team that could be of interest if the price is right.
It would help the Browns engage a couple of teams in a trade war, but with job cuts, they may not have that luxury.
The Browns also have no intention of paying off Mayfield’s $18.86 million guaranteed salary, as the Panthers did last season when they traded Teddy Bridgewater to the Broncos.
The return of Jarvis Landry is still possible
It’s safe, but Landry could still move to the Browns this season. The Browns released the veteran receiver to save about $15 million in salary caps, but would be happy to have him back at a reduced rate.
Landry pairs beautifully with four-time pro bowler Amari Cooper and gives Watson another solid weapon. Landry wanted nothing more than to win the Super Bowl with the Browns, and now it’s entirely possible with Watson in QB.
Jadevon Clooney too
The Browns are still looking to re-sign defenseman Jadevon Cloney but know he’s taking his time to get it right. The fact that Watson, his former Texans teammate, is on board is a big advantage for him, and Watson may even be helping in the hiring process.
The Browns also had Bill’s free agent Jerry Hughes this offseason.
Austin Hooper admits he’s a little disappointed here
Hooper, who signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Titans, admitted during his press conference that he was dismayed that the Browns weren’t using him anymore in a passing game before terminating his contract last week.
Before coming to Cleveland, he caught 71 and 75 passes in Atlanta, winning the Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2019. In Cleveland, after signing a four-year, $10.5 million-a-year contract, he caught 46 and 38 passes, respectively.
“There’s definitely some disappointment there,” Hooper said during his opening press conference. “I was wondering why they gave me the deal and weren’t really that much involved. At the end of the day, I’ve always been the kind of player who accepted the role I was asked to play.”
Hooper, second behind the Browns in goals for 2020 and 2021, wants to start over.
“It’s great to be here,” Hooper said, “I’m excited. I am very happy to be where I am expected, in a team that has a lot of talent and the potential to do something special. As for me, I’m just going to go out there and do my best and be the best that I can be. I want to get back to what I know I can do.”
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