Odell Beckham Jr.’s second stint with the New York Giants ended much sooner than expected, but the veteran wide receiver left the organization with plenty of respect from the players around him. After the Giants released Beckham on Tuesday, several teammates quickly expressed their support for the former Pro Bowler.
Beckham returned to New York this offseason after sitting out the entire 2025 season and never signing with a team. The 33-year-old earned a spot on the Giants’ initial 53-man roster after an encouraging preseason, but his opportunities during the regular season were extremely limited.
Despite not recording a catch through 3 games, Beckham remained highly regarded inside the locker room. Giants players described him as a legend and expressed confidence that he could still find an opportunity elsewhere in the league.
Beckham receives strong support from teammates
Kayvon Thibodeaux was among the Giants players who reacted to Beckham’s departure. The edge rusher wished the veteran receiver well and emphasized Beckham’s accomplishments throughout his career.
Thibodeaux also pointed to the work Beckham put in to return to the NFL after missing the 2025 season. He said Beckham is capable of making an impact elsewhere, reflecting the respect he still commands from his teammates.
Isaiah Likely offered a similarly supportive message. Likely has an especially strong connection with Beckham because the two previously played together with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 before reuniting with the Giants.
Giants reunion never found its rhythm
Beckham’s return to New York carried plenty of nostalgia because the Giants originally selected him with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He immediately became one of the league’s most recognizable young stars.
During his first 5 seasons with the Giants, Beckham recorded 390 receptions for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns. He also earned 3 consecutive Pro Bowl selections and won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014.
His second stint looked very different. Beckham played about 20 offensive snaps, roughly 10–11% of the team’s offensive plays, through 3 games and received just 1 target, failing to record a reception before the Giants decided to move on.
Beckham had earned his roster spot
The Giants did not simply give Beckham a place on the roster because of his history with the organization. Head coach John Harbaugh said before the season that Beckham had earned his position after showing he could still contribute.
Beckham recorded multiple catches in the preseason, including 7 catches for 76 yards across preseason games, which helped him secure one of the limited receiver spots on the final roster. Harbaugh praised his overall performance and said he had demonstrated that he was ready to help the team.
The problem was finding consistent opportunities once the regular season began. Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields were ahead of Beckham in the receiving rotation, while injuries and other roster changes also affected how the Giants constructed their offense.
Fun fact: Beckham became the first Giants player to record 3 consecutive seasons with at least 1,300 receiving yards, reaching the mark in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Limited role ultimately led to release
Beckham’s lack of playing time became increasingly difficult to justify as the Giants adjusted their roster. He appeared on only 20 of the team’s 191 offensive snaps through 3 games, or roughly 10.5% of the total.
His only target came during the Giants’ Week 3 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Beckham did not catch the pass, meaning his return to the team ended without an official reception.
The Giants subsequently promoted return specialist Braxton Berrios from the practice squad to the active roster. Because Berrios had already used his 3 practice-squad elevations, New York needed to create an active-roster spot, and Beckham was released. The team also added receiver Charlie Jones from the practice squad in the same move.
His NFL career still has another chapter
Beckham is now a free agent again and can explore opportunities with other teams. His recent lack of production is part of the story, but his larger career record gives teams plenty of history to consider.
Across 122 career regular-season games, Beckham has recorded 575 receptions for 7,987 yards and 59 touchdowns. He has also played for the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins and won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams.
His teammates clearly believe there is still something left for him to contribute. Thibodeaux said Beckham would be able to make a statement somewhere, while Likely expressed hope that Beckham would continue to do what he has done throughout his career.
Fun fact: Beckham averaged 108.8 receiving yards per game during his 2014 rookie season, the highest mark by a rookie receiver in NFL history.
Beckham leaves Giants with lasting legacy
Although this reunion lasted only 3 games, Beckham’s connection to the Giants remains significant. His spectacular rookie season and memorable one-handed touchdown catch helped establish him as one of the defining young stars of his era.
His first Giants tenure also produced some of the strongest statistical seasons of his career. Before leaving New York in 2019, Beckham had already established himself as one of the franchise’s most recognizable offensive players.
That history helps explain why his release generated such a strong reaction inside the locker room. Even without a catch during his latest stint, Beckham remained someone his teammates respected for his career, persistence, and influence.
Giants now turn toward Arizona
The Giants will now move forward without Beckham as they prepare for their next game against the Arizona Cardinals. The roster change comes during a busy stretch for New York, which has also made significant moves at quarterback.
The team recently acquired J.J. McCarthy from Minnesota in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. John Harbaugh has said Jameis Winston will start against Arizona, while the team had not publicly confirmed whether McCarthy or Jake Haener would serve as the backup.
For Beckham, the next step will be finding a situation that offers a larger role than the one he received in New York. His Giants teammates have already made clear that they believe his story in the NFL is not finished.
TL;DR
- Odell Beckham Jr. was released by the Giants after 3 games and no receptions during his second stint with the franchise.
- Kayvon Thibodeaux and Isaiah Likely publicly praised Beckham and expressed confidence that he can make an impact elsewhere.
- Beckham earned his roster spot after an encouraging preseason but played only 20 offensive snaps during the regular season.
- The veteran receiver remains a major part of Giants history after starring for the team during his first 5 seasons.
- Beckham is now a free agent looking for another opportunity after previously winning a Super Bowl with the Rams.
Read More From This Brand:
- Odell Beckham Jr. reunites with the Giants
- Odell Beckham Jr.’s New York comeback gets another nostalgic twist
- Giants’ Harbaugh open to Odell Beckham Jr. reunion ahead of 2026 season
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
