Odell Beckham Jr. Accepts 6-Game NFL PED Suspension After Positive Test Last Season

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has decided to serve out a six-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs last season, he said in a Tuesday episode of The Pivot Podcast.

Beckham said at the 52:45 mark of the podcast that he wished he had served out the suspension during the 2024 season.

"In hindsight, I should have just taken it," Beckham said. "Had the six games, got punished then, let it blow over."

Beckham, who was sidelined for the beginning of the 2024 campaign after undergoing offseason knee surgery, played nine games for the Miami Dolphins last season.

He was released by the team last December with four games remaining in the regular season.

Beckham said he failed the test because his testosterone levels were high compared to blood tests he underwent ahead of the 2024 season.

"It bothers me because, knowing deep down inside, I've never failed. I've never cheated," Beckham said. "I've never done something. I'm like, bro, I came back from ACL, shattered ankle, ACL again. Why wouldn't those have been the times I would have been taking something to benefit myself?

"I've always been this person who just worked hard... I earned all of this."

The wide receiver was then asked if he had ever knowingly consuming PEDs before failing the test.

"I don't even know," Beckham answered. "I couldn't tell you. We sat there, with my main PT, we questioned everything. What is it? Could it have been this? I don't have no new supplements. I don't have nothing. I can't put my finger on it, and I'm being honest with you."

Beckham, a former Pro Bowler with the New York Giants whose later career was derailed by injuries, added that he wants to return to the NFL season and that he's ready to accept a lower workload in his age-33 campaign.

The veteran wide receiver said he struggled at first to accept receiving an average of two targets per game during his last season with the Dolphins.

Beckham said he at times "wasn't ready" for that limited target share, which may have contributed to him finishing the partial season with a career-low 6.1 yards per catch.

"That was a maturity thing... I don't care about nothing. I just want to play," Beckham said about his attitude in 2024.

Beckham concluded, "I'm going to join somebody, this year, about Week 11 or 12, because I've got to deal with this."

The NFL trade deadline will take place on Nov. 4 in the days leading up to Week 10. Beckham could be hoping any teams still in need of veteran wide receiver depth after that point would consider signing him later in the season.