Odell Beckham Jr is looking forward to his return season in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, but the New York Jets came in with a last-minute offer to try and sign the wide receiver.
The Ravens announced the signing of Jackson on a one-year $18million (£14.5m) deal earlier this month, with $15m (£12m) of that already guaranteed. It was a huge deal for a receiver that hasn't played since the 2021 Super Bowl, with Beckham Jr missing the following campaign after a second torn ACL injury.
But Beckham Jr's talent is clear to see, and if he can replicate his previous form then the Ravens could be set for a positive season - even though they're yet to strike a new deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Beckham Jr had been linked with a move to the Jets due to his interest in playing with Aaron Rodgers, but the receiver rejected their late approach over the phone.
That's according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who claims that the Jets came in with a late "completive" offer to rival the proposal made by the Ravens. Beckham Jr giving the Jets the chance to match the offer made by the Ravens, but this was subsequently turned down. - leaving the way clear for OBJ to sign on in Baltimore.
The Ravens needed a new receiver, and if Beckham Jr stays fit then they've secured themselves a real star for at least a season. The Jets already have Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, and have signed both Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman this offseason.
It didn't make much sense for them to splash out that kind of money on another star in the same position, especially with Beckham Jr's fitness still very much a gamble. But with Rodgers set to take up a huge portion of their salary cap, matching the Ravens' offer was almost impossible.
According to ESPN's Stephen A Smith, Beckham Jr's incentive is purely financial, meaning that it was inevitable that he would sign for the biggest offer. "Let's not confuse or conflate the issues: Odell Beckham Jr. was after his bag more than anything else," Smith said on First Take.
"He was not after playing with Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes. Odell Beckham Jr.’s priority was to make sure he makes his money. I know Odell Beckham Jr. well enough to know he’s a business man
"He likes his money, he looks for his money and he wanted to get his money - and dammit he deserves it because he would have been the MVP of that Super Bowl. I spoke to him before that Super Bowl and that brother told me he was going to put on a show.
"I believe he would have been Super Bowl MVP, but he got hurt. Injuries have been the thing that has plagued him - nothing else. Everything about Odell Beckham Jr.’s game speaks number one wide receiver.
"The brother is big time. He can make things happen. The Baltimore Ravens didn’t have a 1,000-yard receiver - this brother’s done it five times in his career."
