Lamar Jackson was taken back by some of his Baltimore Ravens team-mates’ fanboying the arrival of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham Jr, 30, sealed his return to the NFL by signing a one-year deal worth up to $18million (£14.5m), snubbing a free agency move to the New York Jets, who were hoping to combine the 2022 Super Bowl winner with expected trade Aaron Rodgers. The ex-Los Angeles Rams star didn’t feature in the 2022 season as he recovered from an ACL injury that he suffered in the Super Bowl win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jackson, 26, was pleased to see his pal rock up in Baltimore, and the pair even hit the club to celebrate OBJ’s arrival. However, other Ravens players couldn’t hide their fanboying for Beckham Jr’s arrival.
“Good morning. The fanboy Era has started in Baltimore lol,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey tweeted. Alongside Humphrey’s tweet was a text exchanged with fellow Ravens star Gus Edwards.
Edwards asked Humphrey if he had met Beckham Jr yet before jokingly suggesting he’d like the wide receiver to autograph his backside. Star quarterback Jackson replied with a “WTF” GIF, leaving NFL fans in stitches.
Humphrey previously had beef with OBJ, getting into a physical altercation in 2019 with the latter throwing a punch while he was a Cleveland Browns star. Now team-mates, Humphrey wants to put that behind them and win the Super Bowl. “Want to be best friends and win a Super Bowl?,” Humphrey tweeted. “Let’s get it..!”
Whether Beckham Jr’s arrival helps decide where Jackson’s future lies is yet to be seen. The quarterback has been locked in a contract dispute with the Ravens for some time and even requested a trade at the start of last month.
A non-franchise tag was placed on Jackson, meaning he can negotiate with another team but the Ravens have the option to match the terms should an agreement get close.
Jackson has been told to continue pursuing a trade away from the Ravens, despite the arrival of his friend. Speaking on GMFB, Kyle Robert Brandt said: “I Just don’t see it that way [stay at the Ravens], and I don’t think he should. Lamar, don’t take a dollar less because Odell is on the team, okay? Not a dollar less.”
