OBJ Clarifies His Asking Price
Dustin Baker
|
The Minnesota Vikings need a WR2 if K.J. Osborn or Jalen Nailor isn’t on the menu for promotion in 2023.
Wouldn’t you know it? Firebrand wide receiver Odell Beckham is a free agent and can sign anywhere in the league — with a team as downtrodden as the Houston Texans or high-flying as the Kansas City Chiefs.
OBJ Clarifies His Asking Price
The odd part, before Saturday, was Beckham’s alleged pricetag. Heading into free agency week, the ex-Giant, Brown, and Ram supposedly wanted $20 million per season during his next NFL chapter.
And that just sounded goofy for a 30-year-old coming on an ACL tear in Super Bowl LVI who didn’t play at all in 2022. One week ago, Pro Football Talk wrote about Beckham’s free agency, “At one point during the 2022 season, a report emerged that free-agent receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. wants $20 million per year. We’re told that Beckham still has that number in mind.”
Well, Beckham personally refuted the $20 million malarkey on Saturday, using Twitter for the clarification, “I’m just so confused where the quote is from me that said I want 20…..??all I’m sayin is 4 AINT enough.”
Unlike the $20 million theories, Beckham’s tweet actually makes sense. No team will pay him $20 million annually, and it was just downright foolish to believe so anyway. From the man’s mouth, he’s gettable — but for more than $4 million.
Incidentally, the Vikings are linked to a Beckham-themed shortlist of 2023 destinations. Eight days ago, the Super Bowl champion WR held a private workout for teams. CBS Sports Jonathan Jones’ tweeted about the event, “Teams represented at Odell Beckham Jr.’s private workout in Arizona today included the Panthers, Giants, Patriots, Rams, Cardinals, 49ers, Bills, Chiefs, Vikings, Browns and Ravens, per source.”
Yes, the Vikings were there, indicating at least some degree of interest.
On top of the workout presence, Vikings players instituted a fullcourt press for Beckham’s services this week. Cornerback Akayleb Evans led the charge:
Then, linebacker Brian Asamoah:
Of course, Christian Darrisaw wouldn’t be denied:
At the beginning of free agency, the Vikings were tabbed as the 10th-likeliest team to effectuate a Beckham signing, according to OddsChecker. These were the odds as of March 14th:
- +250: Cowboys
- +300: Bills
- +400: Giants
- +700: Rams
- +800: Chiefs
- +1000: 49ers, Browns, Packers
- +1200: Panthers
- +1400: Vikings
- +1600: Jets
- +1800: Cardinals
If the Vikings do not land Beckham on the open market, they must explore free-agent services from D.J. Chark or Mecole Hardman, bump up K.J. Osborn or Jalen Nailor on the depth chart, or use early-round draft capital in April to select an Adam Thielen replacement. Those are the options.
But from the source, folks now know that Beckham isn’t bold enough to demand $20 million, as was believed about a week ago.
Another Free Agent Reunites with Vikings
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.