Aug 16, 2020; Eagan, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) and wide receiver Chad Beebe (12) take the field during practice at TCO Performance Center Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
In 2018, the Vikings signed an undrafted rookie. Chad Beebe was on the team in some capacity until this offseason. Now, the former receiver of the Vikings found a new home in Houston.
Chad Beebe participated at the rookie minicamp in 2018 and was signed to a contract afterward. On the final cut day, he didn’t make the team but was retained on the practice squad. Star receiver Stefon Diggs missed time with an ankle injury later that season, and Beebe got his first NFL regular season action. In a win against the Lions, he caught three passes for 21 yards. Overall, Beebe finished his rookie year with four receptions for 39 yards. Three of those catches resulted in first downs. He always seemed to catch the ball on important downs.
In his second year, he missed almost the full season due to torn ligaments in his ankle. He appeared in three games and caught two passes for 70 yards. One of the passes was a 61-yard catch, and both receptions were for a first down. In addition to his performance on offense, Beebe returned punts. Fans mostly remember his high amount of fumbles.
In 2020, Beebe was finally healthy enough to contribute. He recorded 20 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns. One of the touchdowns was the biggest moment of his career. In a game against the Panthers, He muffed a punt close to the end. The game seemed to be a lost cause after it happened. However, he redeemed himself when he caught the game-winning touchdown on the next drive.
After the season, his contract was up, and the Vikings didn’t tender their restricted free agent. He became unrestricted. However, the organization brought him back on a one-year contract. On August 31st, the team waived him with an injury designation. That means he was placed on injured reserve after no other team claimed him off waivers. Sadly, his season was over.
Beebe was a reliable but not very explosive option when he was healthy, but his health was always a big question mark. In three of his four seasons as a Viking, he missed time because of injuries. He still deserves a lot of respect because he’s still in the NFL, fighting for a job, despite his injuries.
The former Vikings receiver will catch passes from the Texans’ second-year quarterback, Davis Mills. Just one day before signing Beebe, Texans receiver DaeSean Hamilton suffered a knee injury. Beebe fills his spot.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who has a fable for numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings as his favorite team, despite Christian Ponder being the quarterback at the time. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Arguing about the Vikings on Twitter is one of his favorite things to do. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt