At least five teams made a legitimate push to acquire Odell Beckham Jr. But in the end, it was the Los Angeles Rams who were able to acquire the three-time Pro Bowl receiver. Beckham inked a one-year deal with the Rams after it reportedly came down to signing with either the Rams or the Packers. Beckham ultimately chose the Rams, who earlier this month acquired pass rusher Von Miller from the Broncos.
Why did Beckham choose the Rams over the Packers? For starters, Green Bay offered him less money. Green Bay offered him a veteran’s minimum salary. In Los Angeles, Beckham signed a deal worth up to $4.25 million with team-based incentives, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal allows Beckham to recoup the $3 million he lost when he parted ways with the Cleveland Browns.
Along with the strong financial commitment, the Rams also made a personal push to land Beckham. Several Rams players spoke with him over the phone before Beckham made his decision. Among those players were Rams receiver Robert Woods, who said that he spoke to Beckham before the start of Thursday’s practice.
“Jalen (Ramsey) got him on the line,” Woods said, via the Rams’ team website. “Was able to talk to him, exchanged numbers, talked to him again, and I was heading out to practice, the news broke. So, short process.”
Woods said that group phone call was intended to help Beckham “feel comfortable and confident to come join our team and our receiver room, join what we have going on.” The message was clearly felt by Beckham, who later told CBS Sports HQ’s Josina Anderson that he is very much at peace with his decision.
“I’m feeling the love from them,” Beckham said. “My heart feels good.”
The Rams are also happy to have Beckham, who joins a receiving corps that already includes Woods, Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson and tight end Tyler Higbee. Beckham will catch passes from Matthew Stafford, who lauded the team’s new acquisition following Thursday’s practice.
“It’s an opportunity for us as a team, it’s an opportunity for him to come in here and prove himself to us,” Stafford said. “What our room is about in the receiver room is pretty special. I know he’ll fit right in and just continue to get better, and hopefully it will help us as a team.”
