The Miami Dolphins have officially inked a deal with Odell Beckham Jr. for a one-year contract valued at up to $8.25 million, as announced by the club on Wednesday.
Negotiations leading to this agreement have been a lengthy process. Speculation began in March when Beckham visited Miami’s facility, and Head Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that an offer had been extended. However, things quieted down after that.
As April approached, the possibility of Beckham joining the Dolphins seemed almost surreal. Nevertheless, the team made it official just five days after news of the contract agreement broke.
Beckham had received offers from other teams but opted for a lower one with Miami. His contract includes a base salary of $3 million with incentives that could reach $8.25 million. This marks a significant decrease from his previous one-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Opinions among fans are divided, with some believing the Dolphins are overpaying while others see it as a steal.
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Miami already boasts an impressive receiving lineup with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and Beckham’s addition adds further strength. The move comes after the Dolphins selected two wide receivers in the 2024 NFL draft.
Given Beckham’s status as a newcomer to the team, he’s expected to occupy the No. 3 role behind Hill and Waddle, potentially reducing the reliance on the latter two to carry the offense. Beckham also offers valuable support, particularly in cases of injuries to Hill and/or Waddle, as witnessed towards the end of the previous season.
The Dolphins have also re-signed Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft, enhancing their squad alongside the new draft picks and Beckham.
While Beckham may not be at the peak of his earlier career, he still possesses the skills and talent to contribute effectively to Miami’s potent offense. Assuming he stays healthy, he should have no trouble keeping pace with Waddle, Hill, and Mostert.
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Beckham brings with him five 1,000-yard receiving seasons, although he hasn’t achieved such numbers since 2019. His performance in the 2023 season showed promising signs, especially considering he missed the entire 2022 season due to a torn ACL sustained while playing for the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl. Last season, he recorded 565 yards and three touchdowns on 35 catches, outperforming other Miami receivers behind Waddle and Hill, none of whom managed more than 35 catches or 366 yards.
