Odell Beckham is the latest big name swirling around the Steelers rumors to sign him.
The second wave of free agency still has a lot of big names available, including Odell Beckham. The Steelers are likely to make additional moves this week and one could be a veteran wide receiver.
Could that be Odell Beckham? It certainly would be a big buzz around the NFL and would be something no one saw coming.
PROS
It certainly has its intrigue, fun, and excitement. The Steelers could use a veteran in the slot and add more star and firepower to the passing game under Kenny Pickett.
The Steelers have been needing a veteran in the wide receiver room for quite some time. Someone to come in and mentor the young core and have an effect on the field.
Odell has shown with the right system, he certainly has a strong impact on the field and brings a lot of attention to defenses.
A core of Odell Beckham, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Calvin Austin III sounds great on paper.
CONS
I don’t think Odell Beckham is the vet wide receiver the Steelers need and are looking for.
Odell has his history of bringing locker room drama. The Steelers just got rid of all that. Plus, this would set a bad mindset for a very influential wide receiver room. Do we really want more divas in the locker room? I know Mike Tomlin is tired of that.
Odell also has a poor injury history. Odell Beckham suffered a fractured left ankle in 2017 and it seemed that was the start of his decline in availability.
He suffered a quad injury at the end of the 2018 season and tore his ACL the first time in 2020 in his second year with the Cleveland Browns. He tore his ACL again in the Super Bowl win with the Rams. This kept him out all of the 2022 NFL season. Odell Beckham has only played 25 games since the 2019 season.
Someone with bad locker room and injury history and someone who sat out all of last year doesn’t sound like a good add.
CAN IT HAPPEN?
A one year prove it deal is all he’s going to get if he plays this year. At a cost of maybe $5-$7M this year, it’s a decent cost to gamble. Some team will surely sign him.
But for the Steelers with a young receiver room? Sounds like a recipe for disaster and not a risk willing to take.
There are other veterans out there the Steelers could and should bring in for a little cheaper and will have a much better effect on the field and especially in the locker room.