NY Jets’ interest in Odell Beckham Jr. is ‘very real’

Is Odell Beckham Jr. bound to become a New York Jet?

Prior to the start of NFL free agency, it was reported that Aaron Rodgers sent the New York Jets a ‘“wish list” of players he wanted the team to target and acquire. The biggest name on that list was none other than Odell Beckham Jr. While Rodgers later refuted the idea that he gave the Jets a wish list on The Pat McAfee Show, he did say of Beckham, “Who wouldn’t want Odell on their team?”.

Since then, the Jets have remained interested in the former NY Giants wide receiver.

The other New York team, the New York Jets interested and staying in touch with his side, per source. https://t.co/A6AcT0YhCE

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 17, 2023

Now, there’s even more fuel to the fire.

With the Jets trading Elijah Moore to the Cleveland Browns, there’s a glaring hole at WR2 for the Jets. One that could be potentially filled by Odell Beckham Jr.

Per SNY’s Connor Hughes, the Jets’ interest in the 30-year old WR is “very real”. Beckham’s relationship with Aaron Rodgers seems to be playing a major factor in the decision.

Sources: #Jets interest in Odell Beckham Jr. described to me as “very real.”

He and Aaron Rodgers are close and have discussed playing together in New York. Basically, Rodgers wants OBJ.

With Elijah Moore gone .. opening is there.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 22, 2023

This comes a couple days after former Bengals wide receiver and Jets supporter Chad Johnson – aka Ochocinco – sparked speculation on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/ochocinco/status/1638001367980601344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1638001367980601344%7Ctwgr%5E001db34cf83fabf32394589a7635047657e2ead3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fnfl%2Fjets%2Fnews%2Fochocinco-sparks-odell-beckham-speculation-on-jetstwitter

For the Jets, signing Odell could make sense – at the right price.

It’s been reported that OBJ is looking for a contract that would give him between $15-20 million per year, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Beckham himself has denied that number, but did hint that he was being offered far less than what he thinks he’s worth.

I’m just so confused where the quote is from me tht said I want 20…..😭🙄all I’m sayin is 4 AINT enough

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) March 18, 2023

As our own Michael Nania speculated – and I agree with – it’s possible that Jets GM Joe Douglas is the person who offered him that low salary.

There are plenty of factors – age, injury concerns, production decline – that would cause any sensible GM to be hesitant on giving Beckham such a large contract. While Beckham was once a superstar, those days are now likely behind him as he starts to hit the wrong side of 30.

If the Jets’ interest in Beckham is as real as Connor Hughes’ speculates, then they need to make sure they get him at a team-friendly price. If not, the team should look at other options to solidify their receiving group.