Eagles Consider Odell Beckham Jr. for Depth as Playoff Aspirations Grow
The Philadelphia Eagles are no strangers to pursuing talent in their quest for a strong roster. As the team navigates the early weeks of the season, boasting a perfect record after two games, they have already made significant additions with the signings of Za’Darius Smith and Tank Bigsby. Even with a seemingly solid running back corps, the Eagles are exploring options following an injury to Will Shipley.
The Need for Additional Receivers
At first glance, the prospect of signing Odell Beckham Jr. may raise eyebrows. After all, the Eagles are already equipped with a talented receiving corps featuring A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Darius Cooper, and John Metchie III. However, the passing game has struggled to find its rhythm, with the Eagles managing only 253 passing yards combined over their first two contests.
In light of this, adding Beckham could provide a much-needed boost. Currently, he remains one of the most talented wide receivers available, actively seeking the right opportunity to return to the NFL. “Retiring is not happening,” Beckham recently stated in an interview. “I just came from the gym. This is the first time in a long time I can, like, pop up out of bed or if a dog was about to chase me I could take off running. I’m good. And I know I could play in the league right now.”
Understanding Beckham’s Role
Beckham’s perspective on his future is refreshingly candid. He isn’t looking to reclaim the title of a top target, but rather desires to contribute meaningfully to a competitive team. “I’m not looking to be someone’s No. 1 wide receiver and get 15 targets,” he explained. “I just want to play ball on a good team where I have a role, where I got five, six, seven plays where I get the chance to catch… I just want to play ball, finish off my legacy for myself.”
After a challenging season with the Miami Dolphins where he played only nine games and recorded just 55 receiving yards, Beckham’s previous two seasons saw him accumulate 565 yards with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 and 537 yards in 2022.
A Strategic Move for Depth
Should the Eagles decide to bring Beckham on board, the primary motivation would be to enhance their depth at the wide receiver position. Given the unpredictable nature of injuries in the NFL, having an experienced player like Beckham could be invaluable. With few offers likely on the table for him at this stage, the Eagles could explore the possibility of a practice squad position as a low-risk option to bolster their roster.
While the current depth chart may not necessitate an immediate addition, Philadelphia’s past moves demonstrate a tendency to proactively secure talent, sometimes even when it seemed unnecessary. The addition of Smith, for example, came despite the Eagles already having a strong lineup of edge rushers.
Ultimately, the question remains: should the Eagles explore the option of adding Beckham to their practice squad? With the season still in its early stages, the potential for injuries looms large, making it prudent to be prepared rather than scrambling to fill gaps as they arise.
