What the signing of Odell Beckham Jr. means for the Ravens, their quarterback – and the New York Jets
When wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. agreed to sign a one-year deal worth up to $18 million with the Baltimore Ravens on April 9, it left many wondering what it meant for Baltimore. More specifically, what it meant for their quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
ICYMI: The @Ravens have signed three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver @obj to a one-year deal worth up to $18 million
(via @RapSheet, @MikeGarafolo, @TomPelissero)#Decyfr #NFL #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/1k23IinQpE
— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) April 10, 2023
Jackson was out of contract with the Ravens at the end of the 2022 NFL season, so in response, the team placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the 2019 NFL MVP after failing to agree to a long-term deal.
This eventually led Jackson to announce on Twitter he had asked the Ravens for a trade, saying Baltimore had “not been interested in meeting my [Jackson’s] value”.
But now, it appears as if Jackson may still be playing in Ravens’ purple this coming September.
Wide receiver has long been a problem position for Baltimore, and last season, only tight end Mark Andrews ended the year with over 500 receiving yards. Bringing in Beckham, a three-time Pro Bowler and undoubtedly talented receiver, may convince Jackson to stay with the Ravens – as a productive Pro Bowl, or even All-Pro, season would help in contract discussions.
However, the signing isn’t without its risks.
Beckham missed all of last season after suffering a serious knee injury – tearing his left ACL for the second time in his career – in the Los Angeles Rams’ win in Super Bowl LVI, and his health will be constantly monitored. Plus, with $15 million guaranteed for the year, OBJ’s contract with Baltimore isn’t cheap, but, given his recent posts on social media, Jackson already seems to be pleased with Beckham’s decision to join him in Maryland.
Will @obj be a success in Baltimore? ?
(? NFL, NFL Films)#Decyfr #NFL #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/yZwtul3OFX
— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) April 12, 2023
Beckham’s move to Baltimore also leaves another franchise’s fanbase dreaming of what could have been.
The New York Jets’ pursuit of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been one of the NFL’s most drawn-out and, possibly league-changing, potential trades, and one that became all but certain to happen after the quarterback revealed last month that he wanted to play in New York.
Both the Packers and Jets are reportedly still working on a trade – one that would reunite the four-time league MVP with former Green Bay teammate, receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard was one of the names on Rodgers’ apparent ‘wishlist’ of players for the Jets to sign, alongside none other than Odell Beckham Jr.
How far could this offense take the Jets? ✈️#Decyfr #NFL #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/0gY8yMLpyI
— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) April 4, 2023
New York already boasts the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year – wide receiver Garrett Wilson – and promising young running back Breece Hall as potential offensive weapons for Rodgers.
But with Beckham Jr. now off the table, the Jets’ hypothetical star-studded offense is no more and the impact of OBJ’s move is already being felt across the entire NFL.
https://decyfrsport.com/what-the-signing-of-odell-beckham-jr-means-for-the-ravens-their-quarterback-and-the-new-york-jets/
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