Vikings Named Landing Spot for 3-Time Pro-Bowler
After some false internet rhetoric this week, three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham went out of his way to ensure the world knew he wasn’t retiring.
CBS Sports lists the Vikings among possible spots for a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, fueling speculation about another offensive addition in 2025.
Beckham Jr. plans very much on playing this season; it’s just that he’s a free agent with the regular season three weeks away.
Before too long, the once-phenom playmaker will find a new team, and one website thinks the Minnesota Vikings would check some boxes.
The Vikings May Need an Extra Wide Receiver
Odell Beckham Jr. would certainly ignite the fan base.
Vikings Make the Cut on CBS Sports List for Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham Jr.’s reassurances that he’ll play this season prompted NFL media to speculate on his eventual destination. Wouldn’t you know it? CBS Sports mentioned the Vikings as a common-sense landing spot.
Cody Benjamin remarked, “The Vikings are in win-now mode despite J.J. McCarthy opening the year as a total unknown under center. But their wide receiver corps isn’t going to be at full speed when the season gets underway. Even if star No. 1 Justin Jefferson returns from a hamstring injury that’s kept him sidelined from practice for weeks, fellow starter Jordan Addison will miss the first three games due to suspension.”
“Yes, the Vikings also have the ground game and tight ends to shepherd McCarthy along. But they could use some emergency depth out wide, where youngsters like Jalen Nailor and Tai Felton could have prominent roles out of the gate.”
Beckham Jr. has appeared in 23 games over the last two seasons, compiling a measly (by his standards) 620 yards and 3 touchdowns. That’s about 27 yards per game.
The working theory — the hope — would be that he could rekindle some of his old glory in Minnesota, though that may be a long shot.
The Kevin O’Connell Connection
Beckham Jr. to the Vikings is actually realistic for one reason: Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell offensively coordinated the wideout in Los Angeles four years ago when the pair won a Super Bowl.
Between O’Connell’s time in Los Angeles and Washington, partnered with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s days in San Francisco and Cleveland, and along with Brian Flores‘ 20+ years of coaching experience, Minnesota has many tentacles in the free-agent market per player-coach or player-executive ties.
O’Connell could call Beckham Jr. rather easily and make the case for him in purple — if the Vikings are in the mood for the relationship in the first place.
Jordan Addison’s Suspension
The Vikings’ alleged WR need inched to the forefront in the last week when commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Addison for a “wet reckless” driving offence in California. Addison cannot return to a regular season football field until Week 4 — a game in Dublin against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Without Addison, Minnesota will rely on Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson, and a fifth wide receiver to be named later.
In theory, Beckham Jr. could ease the pain of Addison’s absence.
Rondale Moore’s Injury
Which brings the conversation to Rondale Moore.
Moore was supposed to fill a WR4 (or so) role in Minnesota this year, but he blew out his knee — again — last Saturday against the Houston Texans in a preseason game. If you’re keeping score at home — you probably are if you’re reading an article like this — O’Connell is down two big-name wideouts for the season’s first three games. Addison and Moore.
Until the team firmly promotes an internal pass-catcher or signs/trades for someone like Beckham Jr., onlookers will continue to fixate on the WR spot.
Other Beckham Jr. Landing Spots
Among a handful of destinations, Benjamin also identified the Pittsburgh Steelers as a wise landing spot for Beckham Jr.
He explained, “The Steelers have DK Metcalf as a bona fide No. 1 wideout for Aaron Rodgers, but all indications are they’re open to as many additional weapons as they can lure in, even after stockpiling tight end with Jonnu Smith.
“Beckham may not be the standout he once was, but he’s also been on Rodgers’ radar for years; the Green Bay Packers reportedly tried to land Beckham to pair with A-Rod during the 2021 season, and Rodgers admitted later that he had interest in Beckham following him to the Jets ahead of the 2022 campaign. On a one-year deal, why not make the dream pairing happen now?”
And on the 49ers, Benjamin opined, “There might not be a team more desperate for proven receiver help than the 49ers. A healthy Christian McCaffrey would certainly help Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy weather the absence of the recovering Brandon Aiyuk, whose 2024 ACL tear could keep him sidelined for the first month of the season.”
“But Purdy still needs pass targets. George Kittle is still a stud, but out wide, Jauan Jennings is also in the midst of an injury/contract situation, and second-year veteran Ricky Pearsall has also battled his own fair share of bumps and bruises.”
Beckham Jr. will turn 33 in November.
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