Chargers Lose Out on Top FA Target, Joins AFC Rival
After an entire year of not suiting up for a franchise, taking multiple visits like he was in college again, and rehabbing from a torn ACL, Odell Beckham Jr. has made his decision and he will be joining the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal worth $18 million despite past reports linking him to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The news was first shared by the NFL's Ian Rapoport.
"Sources: The
#Ravens
are giving WR Odell Beckham Jr. a 1-year deal worth up to $18M, per me,
@MikeGarafolo
and
@TomPelissero
. A weapon for Baltimore’s QB.
(Via Ian Rapoport)
LA is set to have to a home game in 2023 against the Ravens so they will get to gameplay against OBJ in his first season back from injury. The Chargers have lost eight of there fourteen times they've been matched up against Baltimore so they look to improve that this year. They last saw them in 2021 in a rather forgettable 34-6 defeat.
Against OBJ is a different story for the Bolts though as he has yet to win a game a game against them in two past appearances. For his career, the 30-year-old has recorded 117 yards on seven catches and one touchdown against LA's defense.
Now that OBJ is off of the table, the Chargers' front office should shift their attention to the draft as they look to widen their pool of WR talent. There are plenty of promising names they could take in the early rounds that would immediately support Justin Herbert.
While we all know what OBJ can bring and his character is always too great to have on a team, this was his second ACL surgery he had to fight back from. His price tag was also higher than what LA realistically could've offered.