The Ravens Finally Make A Big Splash Signing This Zealous Player
Updated: Jun 28, 2023
Wide receiver Odell Beckham has finally found a new team that sends him back to the AFC North, this time with the Baltimore Ravens. The three-time pro bowler has agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $18 million.
Beckham will get a $13.835 million signing bonus, a $1.165 million base salary, and $3 million in reachable incentives. The receiver will make at least $15 million on the negotiated deal. Let’s go over the journey Odell took to land in Baltimore.
OBJ The Journeyman
The Ravens newest receiver spent the 2022 season as a free agent, recovering from a torn ACL he suffered while helping the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI. The Super Bowl Champion was talking with the New York Jets, who planned to meet him Sunday night after his unexpected signing with the Ravens.
Moreover, it’s important to say that money talks. And maybe, the Jets deal could have been harsher than the Ravens deal. If the Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, placed on the non-exclusive tag, decides to play for Baltimore, the duo could threaten many defenses across the league.
The Ravens Go All In
The Ravens went all-in on this deal with Beckham. It’s slightly head-scratching, given that the team and Lamar Jackson haven’t been on excellent terms during the off-season. Before a deal was determined, Jackson and Beckham, were hanging out in Miami.
Jackson recruited Beckham, meaning he will likely be the quarterback under center in 2023 for the Ravens. If that’s the case, the league should watch out. Lamar Jackson has yet to have a talented receiver like Odell Beckham. We all know what Odell Beckham can be when he’s healthy.
Through eight seasons, Odell has 531 receptions for 7,367 yards, 56 touchdowns, and averages 13.9 yards per catch. His signing comes after quarterback Lamar Jackson announced he had requested a trade away from the Ravens.
Beckham didn’t sign with the Ravens to play with Tyler Huntley. There needs to be a telling of where the situation with Lamar is going, and the latest acquisition of Beckham doesn’t mean that Lamar will play.
Ravens Wide Receiver Room Grows
Baltimore now has options at the wide receiver spot. The pairing of Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr allows them to lure the 26-year-old in by signing the non-exclusive tag or reaching a long-term deal with the Ravens.
The signing of Odell Beckham gives the Ravens a more diverse offense, especially with the veteran talent of Beckham and Nelson Agoholor. With his clever techniques and elite route-running, he could teach young receivers like Devin Duvernay and Bateman some tricks.
Beckham’s one-year deal also means that Baltimore has leeway to draft a receiver on either day two or three of the NFL draft because cornerback is their main priority.
Beckham X’s Out The Jets
If Beckham Jr would’ve signed with the Jets, he wouldn’t have been their top receiver. Garrett Wilson was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year last season. Allen Lazard also arrived with a significant free-agent contract and has a relationship with Aaron Rodgers.
Moreover, the Jets signed Mecole Hardman to a one-year deal. Beckham Jr. didn’t sign with the Jets because he didn’t feel like the Jets would value him as a number-one receiver. Baltimore was the best fit for him to get money.
If he would’ve signed with the Jets, his role wouldn’t have been worth $15 million because he would’ve been their number three guy at best. In Baltimore, the investment suggests that the 30-year-old will contribute to the Ravens’ offense in 2023.
Based on average salary, he’ll become the highest-paid, non-quarterback skill position player on the roster (Mark Andrews, TE, makes $13.657 million annually). This also makes him the second-highest-paid offensive player in total cash, behind none other than Lamar Jackson.