What Odell Beckham Jr. Said About Facing Browns For First Time With Ravens
Odell Beckham Jr. just passed the two-year anniversary of his breakup with the Cleveland Browns.
Now, he’s two days away from facing them for the first time since he was released on Nov. 5, 2021, following a turbulent tenure in Cleveland that never amounted to the hype brought by his arrival.
The Browns bid adieu to Beckham after a frustrating start to the season highlighted by a lack of on-field chemistry between him and then-QB Baker Mayfield. Beckham was visibly frustrated during games due to a lack of productivity stemming from some of Mayfield’s incompletions thrown his way. He was released three days after his dad posted a video of times Beckham wasn’t thrown the ball when he appeared to be wide open.
Beckham, however, said he has no extra feelings heading into Week 10 against his former team.
"Nah. I mean, I made great bonds and memories with those guys over there," Beckham said, according to BaltimoreRavens.com. "Once you're on a team, you build a brotherhood that lasts way longer than anything else.
"Not to be like, 'Oh, it's another game to me,' but it will be fun to go against these guys who are friends and brothers of mine. But definitely no animosity on my end for sure. A lot of love and respect."
Nov 5, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) celebrates after making a catch for a first down against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
A lot has happened between both sides since the breakup.
The Browns, of course, moved on from Mayfield in lieu of Deshaun Watson after the 2021 season. Beckham joined the Los Angeles Rams six days after he was released and helped them win Super Bowl LVI, although he tore his ACL for the second time in his career in the game, forcing him to miss the entire 2022 season.
Beckham hasn’t discovered the same level of success previously in his career since joining the Ravens last offseason — he’s caught only 19 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown, which he scored last week against the Seahawks.
"It does feel good,” he said. “I worked very hard just to be able to get back on the field just to make a catch. The goal was always to be able to score touchdowns, but at the same time keeping the mindset that it's one week and finding ways to get better."
