PHOENIX — Unattached wideout Odell Beckham Jr. yearns for a comeback to the New York Giants. The Giants, at a minimum, are receptive to exploring the inclusion of Beckham for another stint with the squad.
Subsequent to Beckham reaffirming his aspiration at a flag football gathering a week prior for a comeback with the Giants, his erstwhile coach appeared at least receptive to the notion.
“The apparent standard response would be to consider every alternative,” articulated Giants coach John Harbaugh on Monday amidst the coaches’ morning meal at the NFL’s yearly conferences. “And should Odell present an alternative, we will certainly be examining him.”
Harbaugh asserted that he possesses a robust bond with Beckham following their shared tenure in Baltimore throughout the 2023 season. Beckham amassed 35 receptions for 565 yards and three scores that campaign.
However, the 33-year-old has participated in nine contests spanning the last two years. He faced a six-game suspension this preceding season for breaching the league’s directive concerning performance-boosting substances and subsequently remained uncontracted for the remainder of the campaign.
Harbaugh’s sanction would be requisite to facilitate his re-entry into the NFL and his arrival in New York.
“He and I indeed converse. We do message,” Harbaugh stated. “We have preserved an exceptionally strong rapport. He stands as one of my most cherished individuals globally. It’s not as though one refrains from communicating with individuals regarding such matters. And assuredly, we have.”
Beckham has appeared more eager than the Giants thus far. New York re-enlisted seasoned wideout Isaiah Hodgins and brought in Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III via free agency during the last month.
Nevertheless, the experienced pass-catcher certainly holds the backing of some of the incumbent Giants players. Numerous informants apprised ESPN that signal-caller Jaxson Dart and wideout Malik Nabers have communicated to the squad their endorsement for incorporating Beckham. Dart noted previously this offseason that he conversed with Beckham concerning Harbaugh subsequent to his engagement as the Giants’ head coach. Nabers recently utilized Instagram to openly advocate for Beckham.
“Let us compete alongside each other,” Nabers remarked on an Instagram update from Beckham.
Both Nabers and Beckham are alumni of LSU and share a prior association.
Concurrently, Harbaugh expressed that the Giants persist as a “developing project.” They have not concluded refining their squad. He kept open the prospect that Beckham might emerge as an alternative at some juncture.
“We shall simply need to observe how circumstances unfold. What serves his greatest interest, what serves the Giants’ greatest interest. That constitutes the paramount consideration. It is what benefits our collective and any athlete. Should he assist in elevating your collective and enhance your performance, then you will indeed endeavor to secure that.
“We’ll merely have to discern its trajectory.”
Beckham has been undergoing conditioning in Arizona in anticipation of this campaign. He affirmed there remains capacity within his physique and purposes to participate this campaign, having made an impression at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles earlier this month.
“Anticipating the prospect of participating this year, and this merely represents the genesis,” he informed presenter Kay Adams during an interview preceding the gathering.
Adams introduced the notion of competing alongside the Giants and Dart. That stimulated Beckham’s curiosity.
“Peculiar that you utter that. That appears splendid if such a chance materializes, I would be delighted to undertake it. I would be enthusiastic regarding that,” he articulated. “[Dart’s] a decent fellow. He’s youthful. He relishes dancing. I appreciate all of that. So he seems to enjoy himself … if I am afforded the occasion.”