Giants To Release WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. earned a roster spot upon returning to the Giants. His second chapter with the team has proven to be short-lived, however.

Beckham is being released, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. This was a mutual decision, he adds. Beckham’s workload had been sparse despite the fact he appeared in all three games this season, and team and player will now part ways.

So far in 2026, Beckham has been on the field for only 20 snaps. That limited time on the field resulted in just one target and no receptions. With a run-heavy approach on offense in store for New York following Jaxson Dart’s season-ending knee injury, a receiver who does not play on special teams represents a challenge with respect to a full-time roster spot. As such, Beckham is now headed to free agency.

Over the course of his first five NFL seasons, Beckham emerged as one of the league’s most productive wideouts. He topped 1,000 yards on four occasions, earning a Pro Bowl nod during each of his first three campaigns. Beckham’s first stint with the Giants was followed by a blockbuster trade to the Browns and, shortly thereafter, a successful run with the Rams as part of their Super Bowl-winning team.

Since tearing his ACL during the final contest of the 2021 season, though, Beckham’s career has largely been lacking in playing time and production. After spending all of 2022 in recovery, the LSU product joined a Ravens team then coached by John Harbaugh the following year. Player and coach wound up reconnecting this past June after Beckham, 33, failed to establish himself as an offensive regular in Miami and then spent last season unsigned.

Beckham’s Giants deal was worth the veteran minimum and contained no guaranteed money. As a result, this move will yield $1.08MM in cap savings without incurring any dead money charges. New York cut Darius Slayton just before the start of the season, and the team has now moved forward with another veteran WR release early in the campaign. Only three wideouts are currently on the Giants’ active roster, although Dan Duggan of The Athletic notes punt returner Braxton Berrios is a logical candidate to be signed from the practice squad after being a gameday elevation for the first three weeks of the season. Berrios is indeed being signed in a corresponding move, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes.

Beckham’s NFL future has been in question several times over recent years, but when in communication with The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson regarding today’s news he confirmed a new opportunity will be sought out. It will be interesting to see if an in-season free agent market develops in this case.