On a team-friendly $3 million contract, it is hoped that Odell Bekham Jr. would bolster the wide receiver group even further. The three-time Pro Bowler is already providing evidence, though, that suggests money may have been wasted.
This week is the start of the Miami Dolphins training camp, and the team is full of anticipation. They had one of the league’s most potent offenses, and their 11 victories were the most they had since 2008. The third year of the Mike McDaniel era is now anticipated to be quite successful.
This season, the AFC East is expected to be competitive, and the organization took a bold step by adding former Giants star Odell Beckham Jr. to strengthen their position. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are the two Pro Bowl-caliber receivers currently on the Dolphins, so acquiring the frequently injured 31-year-old was a surprise.
Regretfully for Miami, injuries are already plaguing Beckham Jr. before training camp has even begun. “The Dolphins are placing WR Odell Beckham Jr. on the active/physically unable to perform list to start training camp, per source,” NFL Network league insider Tom Pelissero said on Tuesday.
Odell Beckham (2023) stats: 16.1 yards per grab, 3 touchdowns, 565 receiving yards, and 35 receptions.
Pelissero stated that Beckham Jr. is “working through minor things and this is part of the plan for easing him back into football,” which is why the decision was taken. That a 31-year-old who has participated in 14 games over the past two seasons needs to be gradually introduced back into football is concerning.
He is more than two years past his second ACL surgery and had the full offseason to recuperate. However, in recent years, the former great has struggled to stay on the field, and this is unlikely to alter anytime soon.
One advantage is that he only cost the Miami Dolphins $3 million to sign. But one has to wonder if there were more pressing requirements that the money could have been used for. Apart from bringing on a second wide receiver.
In 2023, Beckham Jr. was a member of the Baltimore Ravens, making six starts.