At least one of Odell Beckham Jr.’s former teammates — who also couples as a former Ram — thinks that it’ll be “interesting” to see how the wide receiver’s decision to sign with Los Angeles unfolds.
John Johnson III, a Cleveland Browns safety who played for the Rams from 2017-20, said that he wouldn’t have selected that team if he was in Beckham’s situation.
“I don’t know how that’s going to work,” Johnson said on Thursday, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
“We’ll see how it goes.”
What makes the situation interesting, Johnson added, is that Beckham will want a similar amount of attention as Cooper Kupp — whose 103 targets and 1,019 yards lead the NFL — already commands. LA’s offense is complete, he said, and it runs through Kupp even for the running and screen plays.
Beckham chose to sign with the Rams on Thursday after other teams, including the Packers, Chiefs and Saints, had emerged as finalists. That came after the Browns announced plans to release Beckham last week and he cleared waivers on Tuesday afternoon, ending two-and-a-half tumultuous years with Cleveland that started with a 1,000-yard season in 2019 but sputtered as his role in the offense decreased. He was only targeted 34 times, recording 17 catches, in six games this season.
Even with the plethora of receivers in LA, including Kupp and Robert Woods, Johnson said he knows that head coach Sean McVay — “one of the best doing it” — will eventually find a way to get Beckham targets and increase his level of involvement in Los Angeles’ offense. But the path to that point could be a bit rocky as Beckham’s role, whatever the size, emerges.
“They’re going to find a way to get him the ball,” Johnson said. “They’re definitely going to do that. Matt Stafford is one of the best doing it right now. They have an electric offense. They’re fun to watch.
“I’m going to be tuned in and see how it goes. But that’s a good situation to go to if you’re a wide receiver. I know that.”