Odell Beckham Jr. has landed another NFL opportunity, with the veteran wide receiver joining the Minnesota Vikings practice squad after his short-lived return to the New York Giants.
The move gives Beckham another chance to prove he can still contribute at 33 while reuniting him with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who worked with him during the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl-winning season.
Beckham’s return to New York did not go as planned. According to NFL.com, the three-time Pro Bowler was released just three weeks into the season after playing 20 snaps and receiving only one target. He finished his brief Giants stint without a reception.
Now Minnesota is giving him another opportunity.
The reunion with O’Connell is a particularly notable part of the move. O’Connell was the Rams’ offensive coordinator during the 2021 season, when Beckham joined Los Angeles and became an important contributor during the team’s run to Super Bowl LVI.
Beckham built his reputation as one of the NFL’s most electrifying receivers after the Giants selected him No. 12 overall out of LSU in the 2014 draft.
He immediately made an impact, winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year despite appearing in only 12 games. Beckham also earned three straight Pro Bowl selections from 2014 through 2016 and two second-team All-Pro honors.
His signature moment came during his rookie season, when he made a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys that quickly became one of the most recognizable plays of his career.
Beckham also became the fastest player in NFL history at the time to reach 200 career receptions and 3,000 receiving yards. He eventually surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in five different seasons.
His career later took him from New York to the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens before another stint with the Giants.
Now, Minnesota represents the latest stop.
The Vikings’ offense has been seeking stability, while Justin Jefferson works his way back from an ankle injury. Adding Beckham to the practice squad gives Minnesota an experienced option with familiarity in O’Connell’s system, although his immediate role remains unclear.
For Beckham, the move is less about what he has already accomplished and more about what he can still offer.
The highlight-reel plays, Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl memories are already part of his résumé. The Vikings are now giving him another stage to show whether there is still some of that old magic left.
