Odell Beckham Jr released by Miami Dolphins: What next for veteran receiver?

The Miami Dolphins have released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, ending the three-time Pro Bowler’s short tenure with the team.

Beckham signed a one-year, $3m deal with the Dolphins in May, but started the season on the physically unable to perform list after offseason knee surgery. He leaves after only nine catches for 55 yards in nine games.

Beckham had missed the past two days of practice for what the team called personal reasons. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel indicated on Friday that the decision to part ways was mutual.

“Odell and I have been very communicative since he’s been here,” McDaniel told reporters. “He had a tough start in terms of having to rehab his way into the season and then just looking at it as simple as, all right, what’s the best for both him and the team moving forward?

“We just thought it was a good time to go that direction. That was the motivation behind it. That’s all.”

Beckham, the No 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, shot to stardom in his first five NFL seasons with the New York Giants.

Despite missing the first four games of his debut campaign due to injury, Beckham broke all kinds of receiving records, becoming the first player to record more than 75 receptions, 1,100 yards, and 10 touchdowns in their rookie year.

During Week 12 of that 2014 season, Beckham forever cemented himself in NFL history when making a sensational one-handed touchdown catch in a Sunday Night Football clash with the Dallas Cowboys, which many consider to be the greatest of all time.

Traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019, OBJ’s three years in Ohio were more of a struggle and he’d eventually be released midway through the 2021 season after his father complained on social media over the way his son was being used in the Browns offense.

He then signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he won a Super Bowl that same season, though it was bittersweet success as he suffered a torn ACL in the game which has hampered his subsequent years in the NFL.

After missing the entire 2022 season, Beckham signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and went on to have 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns last year before being cut by the Ravens in March.

Brought to Miami in the offseason to be a third receiving option behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Beckham never seemed to fit into the Dolphins offense.

If he clears waivers, the 32-year-old would be free to sign with any team. Although his best years are most definitely behind him, it does leave open the prospect of the star wideout again latching on with a Super Bowl contender like he did with the Rams in 2021.

Watch another triple-header of live NFL action this Sunday on Sky Sports, starting with Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans from 6pm.