Odell Beckham Jr. had plenty of suitors after he became a free agent in November when the Browns released him, but he didn’t sign with the highest bidder. The Seahawks made a strong offer for Beckham, while the Saints, Packers and Chiefs were also in on the wide receiver.
He picked the Rams, who only gave him a one-year deal with just $1.25 million guaranteed. His contract included several incentives, however.
The Rams gave Beckham the opportunity to earn an additional $3 million through team-based incentives, all connected to their postseason success. By winning the Super Bowl, Beckham maxed out his incentives and earned the maximum possible value of his contract.
Here’s how it broke down:
- Salary: $750,000 (guaranteed)
- Signing bonus: $500,000 (guaranteed)
- Wild-card win: $500,000
- Divisional win: $750,000
- NFC championship win: $750,000
- Super Bowl win: $1 million
- Total: $4.25 million
Beckham bet on himself and the Rams by taking an incentive-heavy contract, believing that Los Angeles could win a title and help him recoup some of the money he lost by getting cut by the Browns.
Both he and the Rams delivered, with Beckham playing a critical role in their Super Bowl run. He caught two passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl before injuring his knee, and also had nine catches for 113 yards in the NFC title game.
Without Beckham, the Rams probably wouldn’t have won it all this season, so he exceeded expectations in LA.
