Amid the Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr. drama, the mercurial wide receiver has at least one big name in his corner.
Former All-Pro receiver Steve Smith, who is now an analyst for NFL Network, called out Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield for his apparent role in the conflict during the pregame show for “Thursday Night Football.”
“You’re average,” Smith said of Mayfield. “You’re not very good, and Odell is moving on because of you.”
Beckham has struggled immensely since joining the Browns, averaging just 54.7 yards per game since coming to Cleveland – playing all but one of those games with Mayfield under center. Earlier in the week, his father, Odell Beckham Sr., posted clips to Instagram of his son being open and Mayfield not throwing the ball to him, which escalated the drama.
The Browns now plan to release Beckham, a move that reportedly will happen on Friday. Mayfield said he would do “whatever it takes” to solve their conflict, but it seems like it’s beyond repair.
Mayfield has been a significantly better quarterback without Beckham on the field. He threw 16 touchdowns to just two interceptions after Beckham went down with a torn ACL in 2020. In two games without him in 2021, Mayfield completed 40 of 49 passes for 531 yards.
Smith, however, is siding with his fellow wide receiver in the escalating drama.