Odell Beckham Jr.: 'In My Heart, I Was Set to' Join Jets Before Ravens Ultimatum

Odell Beckham Jr. played the first five seasons of his career on the New York Giants and nearly returned to the Big Apple to play for the New York Jets this season.

"I think in my heart, I was set to go back to New York and be a Jet," he said during an appearance on the Punch Line Podcast.

However, he also noted the Baltimore Ravens were rather direct with him and asked "what is it going to take for you to not take that visit" with the Jets before adding their offer would be off the table if he did.

Beckham eventually signed with the Ravens and helped them finish with the best record in the NFL at 13-4.

As for the Jets, Beckham said, "My heart desired to be in New York again. … They just kinda slow-played the offer or felt disrespected. They just kind of thought that they had in the bag and that they were the best team and it would be a privilege for me to be over there."

While the wide receiver highlighted marketing opportunities that come with playing in New York, there also would have been football reasons for such a move.

This was before the 2023 campaign started when expectations were high for the Jets with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his way looking to turn around a franchise that was likely effective quarterback play away from being a playoff team in 2022.

Garrett Wilson was the surefire No. 1 wide receiver, but the team could have used more depth and a secondary option at the position. Beckham could have filled that role and theoretically competed for a Super Bowl much like he did with Cooper Kupp and the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season.

However, he chose the Ravens and is surely glad he did.

Rodgers was lost for the season to an Achilles injury in New York's first game of the season, and the team ended up 7-10 and outside of the playoffs. By comparison, Baltimore is two home wins away from playing in the Super Bowl with the likely MVP under center in Lamar Jackson.

Beckham finished the season with 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.

He is no longer the three-time Pro Bowler who surpassed 1,300 receiving yards and reached double-digit touchdowns in each of his first three seasons with the Giants. Injuries have sapped him of some of his explosiveness, and he is not the first option in Baltimore's offense.

But he was still effective and has the opportunity to add a second Super Bowl ring to his resume.

A ring that wouldn't have come in New York.