The Odell Beckham Jr. reunion with the New York Giants is over almost as quickly as it began. The Giants are releasing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., as first reported by Jordan Schultz. OBJ played just six snaps in the Week 3 game for the Giants, saw one target, and recorded no catches. He was not featured at all within the New York Giants passing game, and that says a lot given the state of the roster.

Beyond Malik Nabers, there aren’t a lot of difference makers in that wide receiver room. Malachi Fields is someone a lot of people are high on, but he’s a rookie. That lack of depth is probably why OBJ made the roster to begin with. But there’s a practical reason why the Giants had to move on.

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Roster gymnastics forced the Giants’ hand

“Odell Beckham Jr. is getting released. The Giants needed to make a decision on wide receiver Braxton Berrios this week; he was out of practice squad elevations and is the team’s punt returner.” – Jordan Raanan

The Giants had to cut bait and say goodbye to OBJ because they need their punt returner on the 53-man roster. A player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times before he has to be signed to the active roster. So it really just comes down to roster gymnastics as to why Beckham is no longer a New York Giant.

A mutual parting on good terms

There were also reports that this was a mutually agreed-upon scenario. Both sides recognized the situation for what it was. The Giants told Beckham they didn’t have room for him with the punt returner needing a roster spot. On his end, Beckham wasn’t getting the touches, the targets, or the looks he wanted.

So it seems as if both sides have parted ways on good terms in this reunion, albeit a very short one, in New York. The bottom line is that OBJ’s return to the Giants was always going to be a tough fit on a roster with limited flexibility, and the need for Berrios on special teams made the decision for both parties.