Odell Beckham Jr. receives 2 pieces of great news at once as Giants finalize their 53-man roster
The veteran wide receiver was officially a part of the initial roster, and his return to New York could have some old school elements.
Odell Beckham Jr. earned a spot on the New York Giants’ 53-man roster after a strong training camp and preseason, capping a remarkable return to the franchise that drafted him in 2014. The veteran wide receiver signed with the Giants in June on a minimum-salary deal with no guarantee of making the team, but his performance throughout the summer made his inclusion feel earned rather than surprising.
Beyond the roster news, Beckham received a secondary update that could carry sentimental weight for the fan base.
No. 13 could be back
During Sunday’s cutdown day, the Giants waived former third-round pick wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, who had been wearing No. 13. That number, of course, belongs to Beckham in the minds of Giants fans. He wore it throughout his first stint in New York but had been wearing No. 3 this offseason because No. 13 was unavailable.
With Hyatt off the roster, Beckham now has the option to reclaim his original number. It remains unclear whether he will make the switch or stick with No. 3, but the possibility of seeing Beckham in No. 13 again would resonate with a fan base that still identifies him with that jersey. Those are the correct vibes for a player with so much history tied to the franchise.
A winding road back to New York
Beckham, now 33, was a first-round pick by the Giants in 2014 and quickly established himself as one of the best wide receivers in football. He posted three consecutive seasons with at least 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns to open his career before knee injuries and a sequence of issues derailed his time in New York. The Giants traded him to the Cleveland Browns in 2019.
From there, Beckham’s career took him to the Los Angeles Rams, where he won a Super Bowl, then to the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins. After spending a full year away from football, he re-signed with the Giants in June, making the reunion official.
The financial side of the move is equally notable. Beckham is making $1.3 million, the veteran minimum salary for a player with his experience. Because of the veteran benefit, his cap hit in 2026 is just $1.075 million.
For a player who showed throughout training camp and preseason that he can still produce, that price tag represents strong value. The Giants took a low-risk chance by bringing Beckham back, and his roster inclusion validates the decision.
