NFL

Browns are just figuring out how to dump Odell Beckham

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Social Links for Jenna Lemoncelli
Published Nov. 4, 2021
Updated Nov. 4, 2021, 11:40 a.m. ET

Odell Beckham Jr.’s time in Cleveland is apparently winding down quickly.

The Browns are “likely finished” with the wide receiver amid his rift with the team and quarterback Baker Mayfield, according to Cleveland.com.

Now, it’s “just a matter of finding the right way to end it,” and “the only thing left to do now is figure out how to end the mess.”

The drama hit its peak on Tuesday — hours before the NFL trade deadline — when Beckham Jr.’s father posted a video to Instagram that showed highlights of his son not being targeting by Mayfield.

Beckham Sr. also agreed with a fan in the comments who accused Mayfield of trying to make his son “look bad” by not passing him the ball.

The Browns excused Beckham Jr. from Wednesday’s practice. Head coach Kevin Stefanski reportedly told Browns players that Beckham is “essentially not on the team right now.”

Odell Beckham has likely played his last down with the Browns.
Odell Beckham has likely played his last down with the Browns. AP

Beckham Jr. was excused from the Browns’ facility again on Thursday, ESPN reported.

Stefanski said Browns general manager Andrew Berry is discussing next steps with Beckham Jr.’s agent, Zeke Sandhu.

Both parties are reportedly determining how to resolve the situation, whether it is a “financial settlement, a release or just banishing him to inactive list and eating the more than $8 million he’s owed,” according to Cleveland.com.

Mayfield addressed Beckham Sr.’s Instagram video on Wednesday.

Baker Mayfield said he has not spoken with Odell Beckham in recent days.
Baker Mayfield said he has not spoken with Odell Beckham in recent days. AP

“Deliberately not throwing the ball to an extremely talented player that I’ve put a lot of work in with?’ It’s an opinionated statement, I’ll say that,” the quarterback told reporters.

Mayfield said he was “surprised” to learn about the video and would accept an apology from Beckham Jr., as well as put his ego aside to have a conversation. He added that he has not spoken to Beckham Jr. since the video’s release.

Beckham Jr. — who returned this season from a torn ACL that cut his 2020 campaign short — has 17 receptions for 232 yards and no touchdowns in six games.