Odell Beckham Jr and The Browns Could Break Up

While the NFL's trade deadline on Tuesday (Nov. 2nd) gave teams one last chance to part ways with players in exchange for a return, it didn't mean that all player movement had also ended. Although the Cleveland Browns chose not to trade wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, there is momentum building towards a release of the multi-time Pro Bowl wideout; on Wednesday, Beckham was excused from practice and reportedly met with team brass to discuss his future in Cleveland.

Following news of Wednesday morning's development, reports about the latest circumstances between the Browns and Beckham have come out that could fuel a break-up. On Monday, the Browns reportedly discussed a deal for the wideout with the New Orleans Saints, but nothing came to fruition. Then things went left on Tuesday as Beckham's father reposted a fan-made video onto his Instagram, which highlighted his son getting open during games, and then bashed Browns' starting quarterback Baker Mayfield in the comments.

Even though the last two and a half days have produced the two-biggest moments in a tense showdown between the Browns and their star wideout, some would say this is years in the making. Ever since Beckham arrived in Cleveland via a 2019 offseason mega-trade, his production and health have declined. Only once has the LSU product played an entire regular season in Cleveland, let alone produced over 1,000 receiving yards; since that modest success in his first year as a Brown, Beckham has played a total of 13 games over the last season and a half. Additionally, he's only caught a total of seven touchdowns during his Browns tenure, including zero so far this season.

If this divorce between Beckham and the Browns is inevitable, the specifics of Beckham's contract incentivize the Browns to act quickly. Two full seasons remain on Beckham's deal, for an average of $15 million, but he has no more guaranteed money. Moreover, the Browns have to play him one million dollars if he's on the roster by training camp next year. But if they release him outright, another team would pick up Beckham's current salary for this season (eight million dollars) unless he passes waivers.

Yet alongside wondering if the Browns and Beckham break up is if both team and player can be reunited. This kind of distraction doesn't help a playoff-hopeful who's trying to better themselves while being .500 and last in their division.