New Odell Beckham Jr. Rumors, Updated Giants Buzz Amid 2026 NFL Free Agency

Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who last played in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, is interested in returning to the league. Furthermore, there's been some buzz connecting him to the New York Giants, the team he starred on for the first six seasons of his career (2013-2018).

ESPN's Peter Schrager reported the latest during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, which took place live from the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, where league meetings are taking place this week.

"He was spotted at this hotel, as [The Athletic's Dan Duggan] has that," Schrager began.

"I can't tell you how legitimate a spot would be, but having spoken with Giant sources after that breakfast were [Giants head coach John Harbaugh] was completely over the moon about Odell, I wouldn't close that door at all.

"It has to make sense. Look, not only do they need a receiver, and not only does Odell want to be back in the NFL, and I think the Giants would be a great place, there's still a lot of love for Odell Beckham in that Giants organization. Ownership on down. So when they were having their Odell moment in 2013-2014, and he was doing the one-handed catches, that was a really cool time for the Giants fans, and I would tell you that there was a lot of love from the highest levels for Odell Beckham."

Dan Duggan of The Athletic reported on Beckham and the Giants on Monday.

"Update: Odell, who lives in Phoenix, came to the hotel hosting the owners meetings last night and was spotted sitting and talking with John Harbaugh. Don't think anything is imminent, but Odell's interest in a return to NY is obvious. As I wrote yesterday, don't think the Giants' interest can be considered serious until they have him in for a workout."

ESPN's Jordan Raanan had a report on Tuesday as well.

Beckham played under new Giants head coach John Harbaugh in 2023 when he was leading the Baltimore Ravens, so there's a clear connection there. Harbaugh even spoke about Beckham when asked by reporters this week.

Longtime Giants beat writer Patricia Traina for New York Giants on SI also provided a take on the matter, as did SNY's Connor Hughes.

Beckham was one of the most electric and explosive talents in the league during his heyday in the mid-2010s, and he was essentially one of the few bright spots for a Giants team that largely lost from 2013-2018 and made the playoffs just once. He had five 1,000-yard seasons, with the only exception being 2017, which was cut short to four games due to a fractured left ankle.

He was the king of making near-impossible catches and taking slants to the house for long touchdowns, and he stands as one of the greatest fan favorites in franchise history.

New York traded him to the Cleveland Browns in 2019. Unfortunately, injuries have significantly sidelined him since then, including an ACL tear in Oct. 2020 and an ACL tear in Feb. 2022 during the Super Bowl, when he played for the Los Angeles Rams.

His last extended action was with the 2023 Ravens, when he caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. Beckham played in nine games for the Miami Dolphins in 2024 but saw limited time with 18 targets (nine catches, 55 yards).

The 33-year-old Beckham didn't play last season, but it's conceivable that the Giants could at least bring him in for a tryout and see what he has left. It would frankly be an incredible story if Beckham's career comes full circle and he suits up again for Big Blue. We'll see if anything comes to fruition.