By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — There is a typical habit amongst sports fans to fawn over every player that eventually becomes available on the open market. Many times those potential transactions are a bit pie-in-the-sky or are simply ill-fit for various reasons. This situation is one of the rare ones that actually makes sense.
Let’s face it, the New Orleans Saints are not likely to make it out of the regular season with a playoff berth ahead of them. Providing as much excitement and being as competitive as possible should be their main focus right now. The team is short-handed (no pun intended) at wide receiver and could use some help. Enter Baton Rouge native, Odell Beckham Jr.
On Friday, the former LSU Tiger mutually parted ways with the Miami Dolphins, heading to waivers before eventually hitting the open market. After the trade deadline all players, regardless of years of experience, must first pass through the NFL’s waiver process. But coming off of a one-year, $3 million deal, it’s likely a team will wait to sign him.
Beckham could of course try to latch on with a playoff team that needs help at wideout. The Kansas City Chiefs could surely use another pair of hands as can a couple of other top options. But he could also wrap up his 2024 playing in his home state with the Saints.
The two have had conversations in the past, whether when the Saints tried to acquire him via trade or in free agency.
The 10-year veteran only has nine catches for 55 receiving yards on the season after playing third-fiddle behind Dolphins wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Would Beckham turn the Saints into playoff contenders? No. Would the Saints be able to guarantee the wideout another postseason appearance? No. But for both, it’s an opportunity to serve a need while generating a positive story at the end of the year.
Beckham gets to return to his home state and the Saints get much-needed help at wideout while it’s needed to finish out the year. A fine match for both teams.
No one would argue with either party wanting something different here. But if the stars were to align and the opportunity worked out under the right conditions, this is one of the rare “hype signings” that would make sense without many lofty expectations attached.
