Odell Beckham Jr. has returned to the New York Giants, the team that drafted him 12 years ago. This is Beckham’s homecoming after inactivity for an entire year, but if he is under the impression that he will be handed a roster spot, he is wrong.

“There have been no assurances to Beckham in his comeback, as he’ll need to fight just to earn a roster spot. Beckham relayed a message from coach John Harbaugh during their many conversations about a possible return,” Dan Duggan of The Athletic wrote on June 4. 

The 33-year-old wide receiver is reuniting with the Giants seven years later, but he is not the only addition to the WR room. The team also signed veteran Braxton Berrios.

Earning a roster spot will not be automatic. Beckham must prove himself in practice and preseason. He described his open practise with the Giants as “surreal” on June 3.

The wide receiver said it had always been his plan to earn his keep if he ever returned to the franchise. 

“He was like, ‘I love you so much; I’ve got so much respect for you. I don’t want to bring you here and have to cut you,’ or whatever,” Beckham told The Athletic. “I’m like, ‘Listen, I’m going out on my sword either way it goes.’”

The Giants required the veteran with Pro Bowl nods to work out for team officials on June 1 before offering a contract.

In the later years of his career, Beckham’s performance took a hit because of a series of serious injuries, like two ACL tears, an ankle sprain, and knee surgery. Yet, he came back strong with a message on his return.

Odell Beckham Jr. Drops A Curt Message On His Return To The New York Giants

After he signed a new one-year contract with a minimum value of $1.3 million, he made an Instagram post to send a clear message. 

“Nothin was ever given to me I worked for everything I have. Never give up on urself. Home Team i’m back…. Let’s get itttt,” Beckham captioned his highlight reels earlier this week. 

Beckham’s career-best performance was in the 2016 season. He caught 101 receptions across 16 games in 2016. He was targeted 169 times and recorded 1,367 receiving yards. 

Beckham has reiterated that he earned his second stint with the Giants. The franchise had tarded him to the Cleveland Browns in March 2019. 

Beckham then joined the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 before joining the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. He played in nine games for the Miami Dolphins in 2024, which was the last time he was seen on the field. 

Are you excited to see him back on the field? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar