Browns star Odell Beckham Jr. is apparently getting a pink slip for his birthday after his father posted video on social media that ridiculed Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield’s inability to get the the star receiver the football.
The team is reportedly negotiating terms of Beckham’s release with his agent, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports. A Browns spokesman and Beckham’s agent did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for confirmation.
Beckham, who is turning 29 on Friday, was held out of a second consecutive practice on Thursday after his father’s Instagram post. The video shows instances Mayfield either neglecting to see that Beckham was open or just failing to throw the ball accurately in his direction. To emphasize the frustration of Browns fans, REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ plays throughout the clip, which was created by YouTuber, JDaddy Productions.
Beckham is making $15.8 million this season, half of which the team will owe him unless he’s claimed by another team. He’s signed for another two seasons, but has no more guaranteed money left on his deal, making his release more palatable for Cleveland. In total, Beckham could be losing out on around $35 million in salary unless he’s claimed off waivers.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns are renegotiating with Beckham in order to convert his signing bonus into base salary, which would reduce his impact on the team’s salary cap. It would also make it more likely that a team would claim Beckham off waivers, and that could wipe him off Cleveland’s books entirely.
Browns star Odell Beckham Jr. is apparently getting a pink slip for his birthday after his father posted video on social media that ridiculed Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield’s inability to get the the star receiver the football
Beckham, who is turning 29 on Friday, was held out of a second consecutive practice on Thursday after his father’s Instagram post. The video shows instances Mayfield (pictured) either neglecting to see that Beckham was open or just failing to throw the ball accurately in his direction. To emphasize the frustration of Browns fans, REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ plays throughout the clip, which was created by YouTuber, JDaddy Productions.
The Browns first told Beckham not to report to practice Wednesday. Mayfield, who hasn’t spoken with Beckham, said he was caught off guard by the video, which was released hours before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
‘I’ve had conversations with his dad before, man to man, face to face,’ Mayfield said. ‘I was pretty surprised by the video and the intentions and the feelings behind it. I’d be lying if I said otherwise. But hurt? Nah, I’m good. I’ll be all right.’
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski also said he had not heard from Beckham, who hasn’t produced as expected since coming to Cleveland in a 2019 trade from the New York Giants.
Amid a major distraction, the Browns (4-4), who have fallen into last place in the AFC North, visit the Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) on Sunday.
Stefanski doesn’t speak to the media on Thursday, when Beckham sometimes talks. While he isn’t around, his close friend and fellow wide receiver Jarvis Landry typically holds a media session on Thursday.
Beckham’s drama-filled tenure in Cleveland has probably come to an end after a disruptive few days.
Beckham has had only two 100-yard games in 2 1/2 seasons with Cleveland. When he was hurt and sidelined last year with a knee injury, Mayfield played his best, the Browns ended their playoff drought and won in the playoffs for the first time since 1994.
On Sunday, Mayfield threw just two passes toward Beckham.
The Louisiana State product appeared unstoppable during his rookie season back in 2014.
His time in New York is best remembered for making a one-handed touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys while falling backwards out of the end zone. A defender was also flagged for pass interference on the play, which was declined after officials, coaches and teammates realized he actually caught the Eli Manning pass.
Pundits have since labeled the catch to be the greatest in NFL history.
Although occasionally battling with coaches and the front office in New York, Beckham remained productive until 2017 ankle problems limited him to just four games.
Despite the injuries, the Giants still felt Beckham was valuable enough in 2018 to give him a five-year, $95 million extension with $41 million guaranteed.
But after playing 12 games for the Giants in 2018, he was traded to Cleveland in 2019 for safety Jabrill Peppers, offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, and the Browns’ first- and third-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft.
His years in Cleveland haven’t been nearly as productive, due largely to injuries. Most notably, Beckham’s 2020 season ended due to a torn ACL in his left knee.
He’s returned to play six games for Cleveland this year, but Beckham’s 17 receptions on 34 targets is far below his own expectations.
For his career, Beckham has been targeted by his quarterbacks about 9.5 times a game.
This season, however, Mayfield has targeted him just 5.6 times per game.