The full circle career moment for Odell Beckham Jr. truly hit its peak on Tuesday when the New York Giants announced that the 33-year-old receiver, who became a household name with the franchise over a decade ago, will be wearing the No. 13 after making the 53-man roster out of training camp.
Giants fans have been hoping Beckham would show new head coach John Harbaugh and the rest of the offensive staff enough to warrant a roster spot to open the season, and even at 33 years old and seven years removed from being a Giants superstar, Beckham did just that.
Beckham told reporters that Harbaugh put his arm around him and congratulated him on making the team following a solid final preseason game against the New York Jets. The former first-round pick out of LSU has been through quite the career rollercoaster since he was traded to the Cleveland Browns by former GM Dave Gettleman in 2019, but he’s excited for this second chance to do what he envisioned when he was drafted in 2014: win a championship in New York.
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Beckham’s return to New York has fans and peers alike celebrating with him, including former Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who told OutKick that Beckham’s movement and performance with the Giants certainly earned him a spot on an NFL 53-man roster.
“I mean, there’s no scenario — I don’t care what camp he was in on any of the other 31 teams where he wouldn’t have made the team,” Ochocinco said, while highlighting his partnership with DraftKings. “A healthy Odell that can create separation, that can beat any DB, that is still fast, that can take a slant route or hitch route and take it 80, 90, 70 [yards]. Whatever it may be. Odell Beckham Jr., even at 33 years old, that can still take the top off a defense? That Odell?
ODELL BECKHAM JR EYES HIS OLD NUMBER AMID DRAMATIC RETURN TO THE GIANTS
“I don’t need him to be the Odell of old that was with the Giants when he first got there. I don’t need him to be the Odell in his prime. I need him to be the Odell that, when your opportunities come, make the most of those opportunities. Those few opportunities he does get? He can take a slant to the house. He can make people miss. He still has flashes of greatness. I don’t need him to be the old Odell. But even at 33, Odell is still better than most of the receivers in the NFL. And not your elite receivers — let’s be realistic here.”
The patented separation and speed that Beckham is known for was on full display throughout training camp and the Giants’ preseason games, where he had ample opportunity to prove himself in a crowded wide receivers room.
But to Ochocinco’s point, the Giants are not expecting Beckham to be their top dog once more, even if he is back in his old threads wearing his old number. Malik Nabers, whom the Giants hope will be ready for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, is another first-round pick out of LSU who has shown flashes of greatness. He heads into his third season coming off a severe knee injury suffered in Week 4 of last year, but should be the top dog in terms of targets and catches.
Ochocinco, then, is thinking about those other opportunities where Beckham is going to have to make the best of what he’s given.
“Now, making an impact, it all comes down to the opportunities that he’s given. That’s what it comes down to,” he explained. “Preseason’s one thing. Now, game-planning and having plays for him, that’s a completely different animal.
“You have a group of receivers, all of them do something different. There’s some things they do well and there’s some things they don’t do well. Where are those opportunities and where will Odell go do what he does well? It’s not going to be like it was years ago, it’s just not. You have to understand that, especially at 33. They weed you out of the offense once you start to hit your 30s in general anyway.”
Ochocinco admits he has “no idea” what the Giants and their new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy have in store for Beckham. Still, the fact he made the roster says everything you need to know: Harbaugh and the Giants believe in Beckham to make an impact — whatever that may be.
“They got to use him. He’s special even at 33,” Ochocinco said.
Come Week 1, Giants fans will dust off their own No. 13 jerseys and wear them to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for the return of their former mercurial superstar. Beckham, meanwhile, will be waiting for an opportunity to help his team — no longer his old team — earn a win against an NFC East foe.
We’ll see how the 17-game-plus season shakes out for Beckham, but Ochocinco is simply happy because football is back, and he’s excited to impact the fan experience with DraftKings.
“DraftKings Gameday,” which will take place on Sept. 2, was announced on Monday with quite the activation as it celebrates the first football season with DraftKings Sports & Casino available in all 50 states. As a way to fuel fans with the return of football, DraftKings will be offering free gas, while supplies last, to passenger vehicles at select gas stations in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Detroit. Specific locations and event times will be announced separately.
“For me, I think it’s fun because who else would do something like this outside of DraftKings? This is a great touch for NFL fans to start the season,” Ochocinco said. “We’re giving you free gas, so when your respective team plays, you’re fueled up to go. And word of mouth will be, ‘You won’t believe this? You know what DraftKings did? I was able to save money and get tickets to go to a game because they paid for my gas.’ That makes sense.”
There will also be exclusive DraftKings Gameday promotions for customers, a customized in-app experience, in-person activations, a charitable donation through the DraftKings SERVES program and a new campaign featuring Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas this season.
“It’s all about the fan experience, so some of the offers and luxuries throughout the season is what sets us apart from everybody else. I’m happy to be a part of them,” Ochocinco said.
