USA TODAY International Edition
Odell Beckham Jr. clears waivers, becomes free agent
AKRON, Ohio – OBJ is now truly free. Former Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’ s wish was granted Tuesday, as NFL Network reported he made it through waivers unclaimed, allowing him to choose his team in free agency.
Beckham, 29, was waived Monday after a week of turmoil that resulted in an agreement on Friday to part ways. Terms of the settlement the Browns and Beckham signed Saturday made it unlikely he would be claimed.
The claiming team would have owed Beckham $ 7.25 million this season and with the final two non- guaranteed years wiped off his contract, he would become a free agent in March.
Passing through waivers means the Browns will pay Beckham $ 4.25 million.
When the situation blew up last Tuesday when Odell Beckham Sr. posted a video on Instagram of the times his son was open and quarterback Baker Mayfield didn’t get him the ball, Beckham was owed $ 8 million by the Browns.
On Sunday, Mike Jones of USA TODAY Sports reported that the Seahawks had shown strong interest in Beckham, and coach Pete Carroll did not refute that Monday. Asked if Seattle would claim Beckham, Carroll said, “So, I didn’t say yes or I didn’t say no. That’s just ’ cause … you’ll see,” according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Seattle could be interested in signing Beckham as a free agent. Beyond the Packers, other possible destinations are the 49ers and Saints, Mike Florio said Sunday on NBC’s “Football Night in America.”
Waiver claims go in reverse order with the worst record first, giving the Lions ( 0- 8) the initial chance at Beckham. Former Browns general manager John Dorsey, who pulled off the blockbuster March 2019 trade with the Giants for Beckham, is a senior personnel executive for the Lions. But when asked if the Lions were interested, coach Dan Campbell shot that down Monday by saying, “Um, no.”
In 29 games ( 28 starts) over three seasons with the Browns, Beckham totaled 114 catches on 210 targets for 1,586 yards and seven touchdowns. He also recorded eight carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.