Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell finally makes the move that fans have been expecting him to make for years
The Vikings have been linked to sign Odell Beckham Jr. during each of the last five seasons, and it’s finally happened.
The Minnesota Vikings offense has had its share of struggles over the first four weeks of the season, and wide receiver depth sits near the top of the list. With wide receiver Justin Jefferson missing time, the Vikings haven’t been able to lean on Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, or Myles Price with any consistency.
That is likely why Minnesota decided to make a move at the position, signing veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the practice squad. It’s an intriguing addition for a multitude of reasons, and it raises one major question: what does Beckham has left in the tank?
Odell Beckham Jr. finally lands with Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings
For starters, Beckham has ties with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Speculation has swirled for years that Minnesota might bring him in because of that connection, and it has finally come to fruition.
The two were together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, when Beckham won a Super Bowl. He also tore his ACL in that game. After that, Beckham hasn’t been the same player.His best stat line since the injury was 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens.
He just hasn’t been able to recapture the magic he had with the New York Giants and in his first year with the Cleveland Browns.
Even so, the idea of bringing in Beckham makes a lot of sense on paper. He has knowledge of this offense from his time with O’Connell in Los Angeles. Along with that, he has done a good job of handling multiple wide receiver positions, which matters in an offense that likes to move players around the formation.
It leads to the next question: is Beckham washed? Beckham hasn’t had a season above 45 yards per game since 2020.
Yes, there have been injuries and other mitigating factors within that stretch. However, the production has been rough for Beckham, and there isn’t much recent evidence that he can still separate at a high level.
Will he be able to give the Vikings enough juice to usurp the likes of Felton and Price? That remains to be seen. Starting him on the practice squad gives Minnesota a chance to evaluate where he is physically without committing a roster spot right away.
At the very least, Beckham can offer mentorship to the young receivers in the room. Felton and Price are still developing, and having a veteran who has seen nearly everything the NFL can throw at a receiver could help speed that process along.
It will also make Jefferson happy. Both played at LSU, and there is a level of brotherhood and camaraderie among those wide receivers. Keeping your best player happy is never a bad thing, especially while he’s working his way back onto the field.
A low-risk signing from Nolan Teasley
This is a low-risk signing for the Vikings. If Beckham shows he can play at a decent enough level, Minnesota could use him as its third wide receiver. There wouldn’t be a ton of acclimation within the offense, either, because he has already played in this system.
On the other hand, the downside is minimal. If he doesn’t have it anymore, the Vikings can move on without any real cost to their roster or salary cap.
Will it work? I wouldn’t necessarily bet on it. Still, it’s another example of general manager Nolan Teasley tinkering with the back end of the roster trying to find advantages. Will Beckham be the next guy to make an impact? We will soon find out.
